Gallery operations for a device in landscape mode

ABSTRACT

Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface in a dual screen device. More particularly, the method includes providing a gallery for the dual screen device. The gallery can present one or more images in a user interface. The gallery user interface can adapt to changes in the device configuration. Further, the gallery can display images or videos in the various configurations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/539,884,filed Sep. 27, 2011, entitled “MOBILE DEVICE,” which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all that it teaches and for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

A substantial number of handheld computing devices, such as cellularphones, tablets, and E-Readers, make use of a touch screen display notonly to deliver display information to the user but also to receiveinputs from user interface commands. While touch screen displays mayincrease the configurability of the handheld device and provide a widevariety of user interface options, this flexibility typically comes at aprice. The dual use of the touch screen to provide content and receiveuser commands, while flexible for the user, may obfuscate the displayand cause visual clutter, thereby leading to user frustration and lossof productivity.

The small form factor of handheld computing devices requires a carefulbalancing between the displayed graphics and the area provided forreceiving inputs. On the one hand, the small display constrains thedisplay space, which may increase the difficulty of interpreting actionsor results. On the other, a virtual keypad or other user interfacescheme is superimposed on or positioned adjacent to an executingapplication, requiring the application to be squeezed into an evensmaller portion of the display.

This balancing act is particularly difficult for single display touchscreen devices. Single display touch screen devices are crippled bytheir limited screen space. When users are entering information into thedevice, through the single display, the ability to interpret informationin the display can be severely hampered, particularly when a complexinteraction between display and interface is required.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a dual multi-display handheld computing device thatprovides for enhanced power and/or versatility compared to conventionalsingle display handheld computing devices. These and other needs areaddressed by the various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations ofthe present disclosure. Also, while the disclosure is presented in termsof exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that individualaspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed.

Additionally, it is desirable to have the multi-display device that canuse either display when the device is closed. Thus, the user, based onthe user's desires, can take better advantage of the phonescapabilities. The device can have at least two screens that face inopposite directions when closed. A primary screen may be used for mostapplications. However, the user, or by some other input or event, canchange the display to a secondary screen. Thus, the display may beprovided on the opposite screen facing the opposite direction.

The device described herein can include at least first and secondscreens. In some circumstances, the device can receive user interfaceinput to execute a gallery function. The gallery function can adapt todifferent device configurations to provide a user interface where a usercan view, manage, select different pictures or videos.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at leastone of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers toany process or operation done without material human input when theprocess or operation is performed. However, a process or operation canbe automatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received beforeperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material”.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to anytangible storage and/or transmission medium that participate inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, forexample, NVRAM, or magnetic or optical disks. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, aCD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memory card, any other memorychip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read. A digital file attachment toe-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. When the computer-readable media is configured as a database, itis to be understood that the database may be any type of database, suchas relational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storagemedium or distribution medium and prior art-recognized equivalents andsuccessor media, in which the software implementations of the presentdisclosure are stored.

The term “desktop” refers to a metaphor used to portray systems. Adesktop is generally considered a “surface” that typically includespictures, called icons, widgets, folders, etc. that can activate showapplications, windows, cabinets, files, folders, documents, and othergraphical items. The icons are generally selectable to initiate a taskthrough user interface interaction to allow a user to executeapplications or conduct other operations.

The term “screen,” “touch screen,” or “touchscreen” refers to a physicalstructure that includes one or more hardware components that provide thedevice with the ability to render a user interface and/or receive userinput. A screen can encompass any combination of gesture capture region,a touch sensitive display, and/or a configurable area. The device canhave one or more physical screens embedded in the hardware. However ascreen may also include an external peripheral device that may beattached and detached from the device. In embodiments, multiple externaldevices may be attached to the device. Thus, in embodiments, the screencan enable the user to interact with the device by touching areas on thescreen and provides information to a user through a display. The touchscreen may sense user contact in a number of different ways, such as bya change in an electrical parameter (e.g., resistance or capacitance),acoustic wave variations, infrared radiation proximity detection, lightvariation detection, and the like. In a resistive touch screen, forexample, normally separated conductive and resistive metallic layers inthe screen pass an electrical current. When a user touches the screen,the two layers make contact in the contacted location, whereby a changein electrical field is noted and the coordinates of the contactedlocation calculated. In a capacitive touch screen, a capacitive layerstores electrical charge, which is discharged to the user upon contactwith the touch screen, causing a decrease in the charge of thecapacitive layer. The decrease is measured, and the contacted locationcoordinates determined. In a surface acoustic wave touch screen, anacoustic wave is transmitted through the screen, and the acoustic waveis disturbed by user contact. A receiving transducer detects the usercontact instance and determines the contacted location coordinates.

The term “display” refers to a portion of one or more screens used todisplay the output of a computer to a user. A display may be asingle-screen display or a multi-screen display, referred to as acomposite display. A composite display can encompass the touch sensitivedisplay of one or more screens. A single physical screen can includemultiple displays that are managed as separate logical displays. Thus,different content can be displayed on the separate displays althoughpart of the same physical screen.

The term “displayed image” refers to an image produced on the display. Atypical displayed image is a window or desktop. The displayed image mayoccupy all or a portion of the display.

The term “display orientation” refers to the way in which a rectangulardisplay is oriented by a user for viewing. The two most common types ofdisplay orientation are portrait and landscape. In landscape mode, thedisplay is oriented such that the width of the display is greater thanthe height of the display (such as a 4:3 ratio, which is 4 units wideand 3 units tall, or a 16:9 ratio, which is 16 units wide and 9 unitstall). Stated differently, the longer dimension of the display isoriented substantially horizontal in landscape mode while the shorterdimension of the display is oriented substantially vertical. In theportrait mode, by contrast, the display is oriented such that the widthof the display is less than the height of the display. Stateddifferently, the shorter dimension of the display is orientedsubstantially horizontal in the portrait mode while the longer dimensionof the display is oriented substantially vertical.

The term “composite display” refers to a logical structure that definesa display that can encompass one or more screens. A multi-screen displaycan be associated with a composite display that encompasses all thescreens. The composite display can have different displaycharacteristics based on the various orientations of the device.

The term “gesture” refers to a user action that expresses an intendedidea, action, meaning, result, and/or outcome. The user action caninclude manipulating a device (e.g., opening or closing a device,changing a device orientation, moving a trackball or wheel, etc.),movement of a body part in relation to the device, movement of animplement or tool in relation to the device, audio inputs, etc. Agesture may be made on a device (such as on the screen) or with thedevice to interact with the device.

The term “module” as used herein refers to any known or later developedhardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, orcombination of hardware and software that is capable of performing thefunctionality associated with that element.

The term “gesture capture” refers to a sense or otherwise a detection ofan instance and/or type of user gesture. The gesture capture can occurin one or more areas of the screen, A gesture region can be on thedisplay, where it may be referred to as a touch sensitive display or offthe display where it may be referred to as a gesture capture area.

A “multi-screen application” or “multiple-display application” refers toan application that is capable of multiple modes. The multi-screenapplication mode can include, but is not limited to, a single screenmode (where the application is displayed on a single screen) or acomposite display mode (where the application is displayed on two ormore screens). A multi-screen application can have different layoutsoptimized for the mode. Thus, the multi-screen application can havedifferent layouts for a single screen or for a composite display thatcan encompass two or more screens. The different layouts may havedifferent screen/display dimensions and/or configurations on which theuser interfaces of the multi-screen applications can be rendered. Thedifferent layouts allow the application to optimize the application'suser interface for the type of display, e.g., single screen or multiplescreens. In single screen mode, the multi-screen application may presentone window pane of information. In a composite display mode, themulti-screen application may present multiple window panes ofinformation or may provide a larger and a richer presentation becausethere is more space for the display contents. The multi-screenapplications may be designed to adapt dynamically to changes in thedevice and the mode depending on which display (single or composite) thesystem assigns to the multi-screen application. In alternativeembodiments, the user can use a gesture to request the applicationtransition to a different mode, and, if a display is available for therequested mode, the device can allow the application to move to thatdisplay and transition modes.

A “single-screen application” refers to an application that is capableof single screen mode. Thus, the single-screen application can produceonly one window and may not be capable of different modes or differentdisplay dimensions. A single-screen application may not be capable ofthe several modes discussed with the multi-screen application.

The term “window” refers to a, typically rectangular, displayed image onat least part of a display that contains or provides content differentfrom the rest of the screen. The window may obscure the desktop.

The terms “determine”, “calculate” and “compute,” and variationsthereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any typeof methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique.

It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.,Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term“means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein,and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materialsor acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described inthe summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings,detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A includes a first view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1B includes a second view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1C includes a third view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1D includes a fourth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1E includes a fifth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1F includes a sixth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1G includes a seventh view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1H includes a eighth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1I includes a ninth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 1J includes a tenth view of an embodiment of a multi-screen userdevice;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the hardware of thedevice;

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the state model for thedevice based on the device's orientation and/or configuration;

FIG. 3B is a table of an embodiment of the state model for the devicebased on the device's orientation and/or configuration;

FIG. 4A is a first representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4B is a second representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4C is a third representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4D is a fourth representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4E is a fifth representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4F is a sixth representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4G is a seventh representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 4H is a eighth representation of an embodiment of user gesturereceived at a device;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the device softwareand/or firmware;

FIG. 5B is a second block diagram of an embodiment of the devicesoftware and/or firmware;

FIG. 6A is a first representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6B is a second representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6C is a third representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6D is a fourth representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6E is a fifth representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6F is a sixth representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6G is a seventh representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6H is a eighth representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6I is a ninth representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 6J is a tenth representation of an embodiment of a deviceconfiguration generated in response to the device state;

FIG. 7A is representation of a logical window stack;

FIG. 7B is another representation of an embodiment of a logical windowstack;

FIG. 7C is another representation of an embodiment of a logical windowstack;

FIG. 7D is another representation of an embodiment of a logical windowstack;

FIG. 7E is another representation of an embodiment of a logical windowstack;

FIG. 8 is block diagram of an embodiment of a logical data structure fora window stack;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for creating awindow stack;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary method for managing the display of anemail client application based on application mode and deviceconfiguration;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary user interface for an image capturefeature or function;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface for an image capturefeature or function;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing animage capture feature;

FIG. 14A illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 14B illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 15A illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 15B illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 16A illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 16B illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing animage capture feature;

FIG. 18 illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing animage capture feature;

FIG. 20 illustrates another exemplary user interface for an imagecapture feature or function;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing animage capture feature;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 31 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 38 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 39 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 40 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 41 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing agallery function;

FIG. 43 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 44 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function;

FIG. 45 illustrates an exemplary user interface for a gallery function.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presented herein are embodiments of a device. The device can be acommunications device, such as a cellular telephone, or other smartdevice. The device can include two screens that are oriented to provideseveral unique display configurations. Further, the device can receiveuser input in unique ways. The overall design and functionality of thedevice provides for an enhanced user experience making the device moreuseful and more efficient.

Mechanical Features:

FIGS. 1A-1J illustrate a device 100 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. As described in greater detail below, device 100can be positioned in a number of different ways each of which providesdifferent functionality to a user. The device 100 is a multi-screendevice that includes a primary screen 104 and a secondary screen 108,both of which are touch sensitive. In embodiments, the entire frontsurface of screens 104 and 108 may be touch sensitive and capable ofreceiving input by a user touching the front surface of the screens 104and 108. Primary screen 104 includes touch sensitive display 110, which,in addition to being touch sensitive, also displays information to auser. Secondary screen 108 includes touch sensitive display 114, whichalso displays information to a user. In other embodiments, screens 104and 108 may include more than one display area.

Primary screen 104 also includes a configurable area 112 that has beenconfigured for specific inputs when the user touches portions of theconfigurable area 112. Secondary screen 108 also includes a configurablearea 116 that has been configured for specific inputs. Areas 112 a and116 a have been configured to receive a “back” input indicating that auser would like to view information previously displayed. Areas 112 band 116 b have been configured to receive a “menu” input indicating thatthe user would like to view options from a menu. Areas 112 c and 116 chave been configured to receive a “home” input indicating that the userwould like to view information associated with a “home” view. In otherembodiments, areas 112 a-c and 116 a-c may be configured, in addition tothe configurations described above, for other types of specific inputsincluding controlling features of device 100, some non-limiting examplesincluding adjusting overall system power, adjusting the volume,adjusting the brightness, adjusting the vibration, selecting ofdisplayed items (on either of screen 104 or 108), operating a camera,operating a microphone, and initiating/terminating of telephone calls.Also, in some embodiments, areas 112 a-C and 116 a-C may be configuredfor specific inputs depending upon the application running on device 100and/or information displayed on touch sensitive displays 110 and/or 114.

In addition to touch sensing, primary screen 104 and secondary screen108 may also include areas that receive input from a user withoutrequiring the user to touch the display area of the screen. For example,primary screen 104 includes gesture capture area 120, and secondaryscreen 108 includes gesture capture area 124. These areas are able toreceive input by recognizing gestures made by a user without the needfor the user to actually touch the surface of the display area. Incomparison to touch sensitive displays 110 and 114, the gesture captureareas 120 and 124 are commonly not capable of rendering a displayedimage.

The two screens 104 and 108 are connected together with a hinge 128,shown clearly in FIG. 1C (illustrating a back view of device 100). Hinge128, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1J, is a center hinge thatconnects screens 104 and 108 so that when the hinge is closed, screens104 and 108 are juxtaposed (i.e., side-by-side) as shown in FIG. 1B(illustrating a front view of device 100). Hinge 128 can be opened toposition the two screens 104 and 108 in different relative positions toeach other. As described in greater detail below, the device 100 mayhave different functionalities depending on the relative positions ofscreens 104 and 108.

FIG. 1D illustrates the right side of device 100. As shown in FIG. 1D,secondary screen 108 also includes a card slot 132 and a port 136 on itsside. Card slot 132 in embodiments, accommodates different types ofcards including a subscriber identity module (SIM). Port 136 inembodiments is an input/output port (I/O port) that allows device 100 tobe connected to other peripheral devices, such as a display, keyboard,or printing device. As can be appreciated, these are merely someexamples and in other embodiments device 100 may include other slots andports such as slots and ports for accommodating additional memorydevices and/or for connecting other peripheral devices. Also shown inFIG. 1D is an audio jack 140 that accommodates a tip, ring, sleeve (TRS)connector for example to allow a user to utilize headphones or aheadset.

Device 100 also includes a number of buttons 158. For example, FIG. 1Eillustrates the left side of device 100. As shown in FIG. 1E, the sideof primary screen 104 includes three buttons 144, 148, and 152, whichcan be configured for specific inputs. For example, buttons 144, 148,and 152 may be configured to, in combination or alone, control a numberof aspects of device 100. Some non-limiting examples include overallsystem power, volume, brightness, vibration, selection of displayeditems (on either of screen 104 or 108), a camera, a microphone, andinitiation/termination of telephone calls. In some embodiments, insteadof separate buttons two buttons may be combined into a rocker button.This arrangement is useful in situations where the buttons areconfigured to control features such as volume or brightness. In additionto buttons 144, 148, and 152, device 100 also includes a button 156,shown in FIG. 1F, which illustrates the top of device 100. In oneembodiment, button 156 is configured as an on/off button used to controloverall system power to device 100. In other embodiments, button 156 isconfigured to, in addition to or in lieu of controlling system power,control other aspects of device 100. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe buttons 144, 148, 152, and 156 are capable of supporting differentuser commands. By way of example, a normal press has a duration commonlyof less than about 1 second and resembles a quick tap. A medium presshas a duration commonly of 1 second or more but less than about 12seconds. A long press has a duration commonly of about 12 seconds ormore. The function of the buttons is normally specific to theapplication that is currently in focus on the respective display 110 and114. In a telephone application for instance and depending on theparticular button, a normal, medium, or long press can mean end call,increase in call volume, decrease in call volume, and toggle microphonemute. In a camera or video application for instance and depending on theparticular button, a normal, medium, or long press can mean increasezoom, decrease zoom, and take photograph or record video.

There are also a number of hardware components within device 100. Asillustrated in FIG. 1C, device 100 includes a speaker 160 and amicrophone 164. Device 100 also includes a camera 168 (FIG. 1B).Additionally, device 100 includes two position sensors 172A and 172B,which are used to determine the relative positions of screens 104 and108. In one embodiment, position sensors 172A and 172B are Hall effectsensors. However, in other embodiments other sensors can be used inaddition to or in lieu of the Hall effect sensors. An accelerometer 176may also be included as part of device 100 to determine the orientationof the device 100 and/or the orientation of screens 104 and 108.Additional internal hardware components that may be included in device100 are described below with respect to FIG. 2.

The overall design of device 100 allows it to provide additionalfunctionality not available in other communication devices. Some of thefunctionality is based on the various positions and orientations thatdevice 100 can have. As shown in FIGS. 1B-1G, device 100 can be operatedin an “open” position where screens 104 and 108 are juxtaposed. Thisposition allows a large display area for displaying information to auser. When position sensors 172A and 172B determine that device 100 isin the open position, they can generate a signal that can be used totrigger different events such as displaying information on both screens104 and 108. Additional events may be triggered if accelerometer 176determines that device 100 is in a portrait position (FIG. 1B) asopposed to a landscape position (not shown).

In addition to the open position, device 100 may also have a “closed”position illustrated in FIG. 1H. Again, position sensors 172A and 172Bcan generate a signal indicating that device 100 is in the “closed”position. This can trigger an event that results in a change ofdisplayed information on screen 104 and/or 108. For example, device 100may be programmed to stop displaying information on one of the screens,e.g., screen 108, since a user can only view one screen at a time whendevice 100 is in the “closed” position. In other embodiments, the signalgenerated by position sensors 172A and 172B, indicating that the device100 is in the “closed” position, can trigger device 100 to answer anincoming telephone call. The “closed” position can also be a preferredposition for utilizing the device 100 as a mobile phone.

Device 100 can also be used in an “easel” position which is illustratedin FIG. 1I. In the “easel” position, screens 104 and 108 are angled withrespect to each other and facing outward with the edges of screens 104and 108 substantially horizontal. In this position, device 100 can beconfigured to display information on both screens 104 and 108 to allowtwo users to simultaneously interact with device 100. When device 100 isin the “easel” position, sensors 172A and 172B generate a signalindicating that the screens 104 and 108 are positioned at an angle toeach other, and the accelerometer 176 can generate a signal indicatingthat device 100 has been placed so that the edge of screens 104 and 108are substantially horizontal. The signals can then be used incombination to generate events that trigger changes in the display ofinformation on screens 104 and 108.

FIG. 1J illustrates device 100 in a “modified easel” position. In the“modified easel” position, one of screens 104 or 108 is used as a standand is faced down on the surface of an object such as a table. Thisposition provides a convenient way for information to be displayed to auser in landscape orientation. Similar to the easel position, whendevice 100 is in the “modified easel” position, position sensors 172Aand 172B generate a signal indicating that the screens 104 and 108 arepositioned at an angle to each other. The accelerometer 176 wouldgenerate a signal indicating that device 100 has been positioned so thatone of screens 104 and 108 is faced downwardly and is substantiallyhorizontal. The signals can then be used to generate events that triggerchanges in the display of information of screens 104 and 108. Forexample, information may not be displayed on the screen that is facedown since a user cannot see the screen.

Transitional states are also possible. When the position sensors 172Aand B and/or accelerometer indicate that the screens are being closed orfolded (from open), a closing transitional state is recognized.Conversely when the position sensors 172A and B indicate that thescreens are being opened or folded (from closed), an openingtransitional state is recognized. The closing and opening transitionalstates are typically time-based, or have a maximum time duration from asensed starting point. Normally, no user input is possible when one ofthe closing and opening states is in effect. In this manner, incidentaluser contact with a screen during the closing or opening function is notmisinterpreted as user input. In embodiments, another transitional stateis possible when the device 100 is closed. This additional transitionalstate allows the display to switch from one screen 104 to the secondscreen 108 when the device 100 is closed based on some user input, e.g.,a double tap on the screen 110,114.

As can be appreciated, the description of device 100 is made forillustrative purposes only, and the embodiments are not limited to thespecific mechanical features shown in FIGS. 1A-1J and described above.In other embodiments, device 100 may include additional features,including one or more additional buttons, slots, display areas, hinges,and/or locking mechanisms. Additionally, in embodiments, the featuresdescribed above may be located in different parts of device 100 andstill provide similar functionality. Therefore, FIGS. 1A-1J and thedescription provided above are nonlimiting.

Hardware Features:

FIG. 2 illustrates components of a device 100 in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. In general, the device 100includes a primary screen 104 and a secondary screen 108. While theprimary screen 104 and its components are normally enabled in both theopened and closed positions or states, the secondary screen 108 and itscomponents are normally enabled in the opened state but disabled in theclosed state. However, even when in the closed state a user orapplication triggered interrupt (such as in response to a phoneapplication or camera application operation) can flip the active screen,or disable the primary screen 104 and enable the secondary screen 108,by a suitable command. Each screen 104, 108 can be touch sensitive andcan include different operative areas. For example, a first operativearea, within each touch sensitive screen 104 and 108, may comprise atouch sensitive display 110, 114. In general, the touch sensitivedisplay 110, 114 may comprise a full color, touch sensitive display. Asecond area within each touch sensitive screen 104 and 108 may comprisea gesture capture region 120, 124. The gesture capture region 120, 124may comprise an area or region that is outside of the touch sensitivedisplay 110, 114 area, and that is capable of receiving input, forexample in the form of gestures provided by a user. However, the gesturecapture region 120, 124 does not include pixels that can perform adisplay function or capability.

A third region of the touch sensitive screens 104 and 108 may comprise aconfigurable area 112, 116. The configurable area 112, 116 is capable ofreceiving input and has display or limited display capabilities. Inembodiments, the configurable area 112, 116 may present different inputoptions to the user. For example, the configurable area 112, 116 maydisplay buttons or other relatable items. Moreover, the identity ofdisplayed buttons, or whether any buttons are displayed at all withinthe configurable area 112, 116 of a touch sensitive screen 104 or 108,may be determined from the context in which the device 100 is usedand/or operated. In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive screens104 and 108 comprise liquid crystal display devices extending across atleast those regions of the touch sensitive screens 104 and 108 that arecapable of providing visual output to a user, and a capacitive inputmatrix over those regions of the touch sensitive screens 104 and 108that are capable of receiving input from the user.

One or more display controllers 216 a, 216 b may be provided forcontrolling the operation of the touch sensitive screens 104 and 108,including input (touch sensing) and output (display) functions. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a separate touch screencontroller 216 a or 216 b is provided for each touch screen 104 and 108.In accordance with alternate embodiments, a common or shared touchscreen controller 216 may be used to control each of the included touchsensitive screens 104 and 108. In accordance with still otherembodiments, the functions of a touch screen controller 216 may beincorporated into other components, such as a processor 204.

The processor 204 may comprise a general purpose programmable processoror controller for executing application programming or instructions. Inaccordance with at least some embodiments, the processor 204 may includemultiple processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors.In accordance with still other embodiments, the processor 204 mayinclude multiple physical processors. As a particular example, theprocessor 204 may comprise a specially configured application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a controller, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit, aprogrammable logic device or gate array, a special purpose computer, orthe like. The processor 204 generally functions to run programming codeor instructions implementing various functions of the device 100.

A communication device 100 may also include memory 208 for use inconnection with the execution of application programming or instructionsby the processor 204, and for the temporary or long term storage ofprogram instructions and/or data. As examples, the memory 208 maycomprise RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state memory. Alternatively orin addition, data storage 212 may be provided. Like the memory 208, thedata storage 212 may comprise a solid state memory device or devices.Alternatively or in addition, the data storage 212 may comprise a harddisk drive or other random access memory.

In support of communications functions or capabilities, the device 100can include a cellular telephony module 228. As examples, the cellulartelephony module 228 can comprise a GSM, CDMA, FDMA and/or analogcellular telephony transceiver capable of supporting voice, multimediaand/or data transfers over a cellular network. Alternatively or inaddition, the device 100 can include an additional or other wirelesscommunications module 232. As examples, the other wirelesscommunications module 232 can comprise a Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH™, WiMax,infrared, or other wireless communications link. The cellular telephonymodule 228 and the other wireless communications module 232 can each beassociated with a shared or a dedicated antenna 224.

A port interface 252 may be included. The port interface 252 may includeproprietary or universal ports to support the interconnection of thedevice 100 to other devices or components, such as a dock, which may ormay not include additional or different capabilities from those integralto the device 100. In addition to supporting an exchange ofcommunication signals between the device 100 and another device orcomponent, the docking port 136 and/or port interface 252 can supportthe supply of power to or from the device 100. The port interface 252also comprises an intelligent element that comprises a docking modulefor controlling communications or other interactions between the device100 and a connected device or component.

An input/output module 248 and associated ports may be included tosupport communications over wired networks or links, for example withother communication devices, server devices, and/or peripheral devices.Examples of an input/output module 248 include an Ethernet port, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) port, Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 1394, or other interface.

An audio input/output interface/device(s) 244 can be included to provideanalog audio to an interconnected speaker or other device, and toreceive analog audio input from a connected microphone or other device.As an example, the audio input/output interface/device(s) 244 maycomprise an associated amplifier and analog to digital converter.Alternatively or in addition, the device 100 can include an integratedaudio input/output device 256 and/or an audio jack for interconnectingan external speaker or microphone. For example, an integrated speakerand an integrated microphone can be provided, to support near talk orspeaker phone operations.

Hardware buttons 158 can be included for example for use in connectionwith certain control operations. Examples include a master power switch,volume control, etc., as described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A through1J. One or more image capture interfaces/devices 240, such as a camera,can be included for capturing still and/or video images. Alternativelyor in addition, an image capture interface/device 240 can include ascanner or code reader. An image capture interface/device 240 caninclude or be associated with additional elements, such as a flash orother light source.

The device 100 can also include a global positioning system (GPS)receiver 236. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention,the GPS receiver 236 may further comprise a GPS module that is capableof providing absolute location information to other components of thedevice 100. An accelerometer(s) 176 may also be included. For example,in connection with the display of information to a user and/or otherfunctions, a signal from the accelerometer 176 can be used to determinean orientation and/or format in which to display that information to theuser.

Embodiments of the present invention can also include one or moreposition sensor(s) 172. The position sensor 172 can provide a signalindicating the position of the touch sensitive screens 104 and 108relative to one another. This information can be provided as an input,for example to a user interface application, to determine an operatingmode, characteristics of the touch sensitive displays 110, 114, and/orother device 100 operations. As examples, a screen position sensor 172can comprise a series of Hall effect sensors, a multiple positionswitch, an optical switch, a Wheatstone bridge, a potentiometer, orother arrangement capable of providing a signal indicating of multiplerelative positions the touch screens are in.

Communications between various components of the device 100 can becarried by one or more buses 222. In addition, power can be supplied tothe components of the device 100 from a power source and/or powercontrol module 260. The power control module 260 can, for example,include a battery, an AC to DC converter, power control logic, and/orports for interconnecting the device 100 to an external source of power.

Device State:

FIGS. 3A and 3B represent illustrative states of device 100. While anumber of illustrative states are shown, and transitions from a firststate to a second state, it is to be appreciated that the illustrativestate diagram may not encompass all possible states and/or all possibletransitions from a first state to a second state. As illustrated in FIG.3, the various arrows between the states (illustrated by the staterepresented in the circle) represent a physical change that occurs tothe device 100, that is detected by one or more of hardware andsoftware, the detection triggering one or more of a hardware and/orsoftware interrupt that is used to control and/or manage one or morefunctions of device 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, there are twelve exemplary “physical” states:closed 304, transition 308 (or opening transitional state), easel 312,modified easel 316, open 320, inbound/outbound call or communication324, image/video capture 328, transition 332 (or closing transitionalstate), landscape 340, docked 336, docked 344 and landscape 348. Next toeach illustrative state is a representation of the physical state of thedevice 100 with the exception of states 324 and 328, where the state isgenerally symbolized by the international icon for a telephone and theicon for a camera, respectfully.

In state 304, the device is in a closed state with the device 100generally oriented in the portrait direction with the primary screen 104and the secondary screen 108 back-to-back in different planes (see FIG.1H). From the closed state, the device 100 can enter, for example,docked state 336, where the device 100 is coupled with a dockingstation, docking cable, or in general docked or associated with one ormore other devices or peripherals, or the landscape state 340, where thedevice 100 is generally oriented with the primary screen 104 facing theuser, and the primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 beingback-to-back.

In the closed state, the device can also move to a transitional statewhere the device remains closed by the display is moved from one screen104 to another screen 108 based on a user input, e.g., a double tap onthe screen 110, 114. Still another embodiment includes a bilateralstate. In the bilateral state, the device remains closed, but a singleapplication displays at least one window on both the first display 110and the second display 114. The windows shown on the first and seconddisplay 110, 114 may be the same or different based on the applicationand the state of that application. For example, while acquiring an imagewith a camera, the device may display the view finder on the firstdisplay 110 and displays a preview for the photo subjects (full screenand mirrored left-to-right) on the second display 114.

In state 308, a transition state from the closed state 304 to thesemi-open state or easel state 312, the device 100 is shown opening withthe primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 being rotated arounda point of axis coincidence with the hinge. Upon entering the easelstate 312, the primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 areseparated from one another such that, for example, the device 100 cansit in an easel-like configuration on a surface.

In state 316, known as the modified easel position, the device 100 hasthe primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108 in a similarrelative relationship to one another as in the easel state 312, with thedifference being one of the primary screen 104 or the secondary screen108 are placed on a surface as shown.

State 320 is the open state where the primary screen 104 and thesecondary screen 108 are generally on the same plane. From the openstate, the device 100 can transition to the docked state 344 or the openlandscape state 348. In the open state 320, the primary screen 104 andthe secondary screen 108 are generally in the portrait-like orientationwhile in landscaped state 348 the primary screen 104 and the secondaryscreen 108 are generally in a landscape-like orientation.

State 324 is illustrative of a communication state, such as when aninbound or outbound call is being received or placed, respectively, bythe device 100. While not illustrated for clarity, it should beappreciated the device 100 can transition to the inbound/outbound callstate 324 from any state illustrated in FIG. 3. In a similar manner, theimage/video capture state 328 can be entered into from any other statein FIG. 3, with the image/video capture state 328 allowing the device100 to take one or more images via a camera and/or videos with a videocapture device 240.

Transition state 322 illustratively shows primary screen 104 and thesecondary screen 108 being closed upon one another for entry into, forexample, the closed state 304.

FIG. 3B illustrates, with reference to the key, the inputs that arereceived to detect a transition from a first state to a second state. InFIG. 3B, various combinations of states are shown with in general, aportion of the columns being directed toward a portrait state 352, alandscape state 356, and a portion of the rows being directed toportrait state 360 and landscape state 364.

In FIG. 3B, the Key indicates that “H” represents an input from one ormore Hall Effect sensors, “A” represents an input from one or moreaccelerometers, “T” represents an input from a timer, “P” represents acommunications trigger input and “I” represents an image and/or videocapture request input. Thus, in the center portion 376 of the chart, aninput, or combination of inputs, are shown that represent how the device100 detects a transition from a first physical state to a secondphysical state.

As discussed, in the center portion of the chart 376, the inputs thatare received enable the detection of a transition from, for example, aportrait open state to a landscape easel state—shown in bold—“HAT.” Forthis exemplary transition from the portrait open to the landscape easelstate, a Hall Effect sensor (“H”), an accelerometer (“A”) and a timer(“T”) input may be needed. The timer input can be derived from, forexample, a clock associated with the processor.

In addition to the portrait and landscape states, a docked state 368 isalso shown that is triggered based on the receipt of a docking signal372. As discussed above and in relation to FIG. 3, the docking signalcan be triggered by the association of the device 100 with one or moreother device 100 s, accessories, peripherals, smart docks, or the like.

User Interaction:

FIGS. 4A through 4H depict various graphical representations of gestureinputs that may be recognized by the screens 104, 108. The gestures maybe performed not only by a user's body part, such as a digit, but alsoby other devices, such as a stylus, that may be sensed by the contactsensing portion(s) of a screen 104, 108. In general, gestures areinterpreted differently, based on where the gestures are performed(either directly on the display 110, 114 or in the gesture captureregion 120, 124). For example, gestures in the display 110,114 may bedirected to a desktop or application, and gestures in the gesturecapture region 120, 124 may be interpreted as for the system.

With reference to FIGS. 4A-4H, a first type of gesture, a touch gesture420, is substantially stationary on the screen 104,108 for a selectedlength of time. A circle 428 represents a touch or other contact typereceived at particular location of a contact sensing portion of thescreen. The circle 428 may include a border 432, the thickness of whichindicates a length of time that the contact is held substantiallystationary at the contact location. For instance, a tap 420 (or shortpress) has a thinner border 432 a than the border 432 b for a long press424 (or for a normal press). The long press 424 may involve a contactthat remains substantially stationary on the screen for longer timeperiod than that of a tap 420. As will be appreciated, differentlydefined gestures may be registered depending upon the length of timethat the touch remains stationary prior to contact cessation or movementon the screen.

With reference to FIG. 4C, a drag gesture 400 on the screen 104,108 isan initial contact (represented by circle 428) with contact movement 436in a selected direction. The initial contact 428 may remain stationaryon the screen 104,108 for a certain amount of time represented by theborder 432. The drag gesture typically requires the user to contact anicon, window, or other displayed image at a first location followed bymovement of the contact in a drag direction to a new second locationdesired for the selected displayed image. The contact movement need notbe in a straight line but have any path of movement so long as thecontact is substantially continuous from the first to the secondlocations.

With reference to FIG. 4D, a flick gesture 404 on the screen 104,108 isan initial contact (represented by circle 428) with truncated contactmovement 436 (relative to a drag gesture) in a selected direction. Inembodiments, a flick has a higher exit velocity for the last movement inthe gesture compared to the drag gesture. The flick gesture can, forinstance, be a finger snap following initial contact. Compared to a draggesture, a flick gesture generally does not require continual contactwith the screen 104,108 from the first location of a displayed image toa predetermined second location. The contacted displayed image is movedby the flick gesture in the direction of the flick gesture to thepredetermined second location. Although both gestures commonly can movea displayed image from a first location to a second location, thetemporal duration and distance of travel of the contact on the screen isgenerally less for a flick than for a drag gesture.

With reference to FIG. 4E, a pinch gesture 408 on the screen 104,108 isdepicted. The pinch gesture 408 may be initiated by a first contact 428a to the screen 104,108 by, for example, a first digit and a secondcontact 428 b to the screen 104,108 by, for example, a second digit. Thefirst and second contacts 428 a,b may be detected by a common contactsensing portion of a common screen 104,108, by different contact sensingportions of a common screen 104 or108, or by different contact sensingportions of different screens. The first contact 428 a is held for afirst amount of time, as represented by the border 432 a, and the secondcontact 428 b is held for a second amount of time, as represented by theborder 432 b. The first and second amounts of time are generallysubstantially the same, and the first and second contacts 428 a, bgenerally occur substantially simultaneously. The first and secondcontacts 428 a, b generally also include corresponding first and secondcontact movements 436 a, b, respectively. The first and second contactmovements 436 a, b are generally in opposing directions. Stated anotherway, the first contact movement 436 a is towards the second contact 436b, and the second contact movement 436 b is towards the first contact436 a. More simply stated, the pinch gesture 408 may be accomplished bya user's digits touching the screen 104,108 in a pinching motion.

With reference to FIG. 4F, a spread gesture 410 on the screen 104,108 isdepicted. The spread gesture 410 may be initiated by a first contact 428a to the screen 104,108 by, for example, a first digit and a secondcontact 428 b to the screen 104,108 by, for example, a second digit. Thefirst and second contacts 428 a,b may be detected by a common contactsensing portion of a common screen 104,108, by different contact sensingportions of a common screen 104,108, or by different contact sensingportions of different screens. The first contact 428 a is held for afirst amount of time, as represented by the border 432 a, and the secondcontact 428 b is held for a second amount of time, as represented by theborder 432 b. The first and second amounts of time are generallysubstantially the same, and the first and second contacts 428 a, bgenerally occur substantially simultaneously. The first and secondcontacts 428 a, b generally also include corresponding first and secondcontact movements 436 a, b, respectively. The first and second contactmovements 436 a, b are generally in a common direction. Stated anotherway, the first and second contact movements 436 a, b are away from thefirst and second contacts 428 a, b. More simply stated, the spreadgesture 410 may be accomplished by a user's digits touching the screen104,108 in a spreading motion.

The above gestures may be combined in any manner, such as those shown byFIGS. 4G and 4H, to produce a determined functional result. For example,in FIG. 4G a tap gesture 420 is combined with a drag or flick gesture412 in a direction away from the tap gesture 420. In FIG. 4H, a tapgesture 420 is combined with a drag or flick gesture 412 in a directiontowards the tap gesture 420.

The functional result of receiving a gesture can vary depending on anumber of factors, including a state of the device 100, display 110,114, or screen 104, 108, a context associated with the gesture, orsensed location of the gesture. The state of the device commonly refersto one or more of a configuration of the device 100, a displayorientation, and user and other inputs received by the device 100.Context commonly refers to one or more of the particular application(s)selected by the gesture and the portion(s) of the application currentlyexecuting, whether the application is a single- or multi-screenapplication, and whether the application is a multi-screen applicationdisplaying one or more windows in one or more screens or in one or morestacks. Sensed location of the gesture commonly refers to whether thesensed set(s) of gesture location coordinates are on a touch sensitivedisplay 110, 114 or a gesture capture region 120, 124, whether thesensed set(s) of gesture location coordinates are associated with acommon or different display or screen 104,108, and/or what portion ofthe gesture capture region contains the sensed set(s) of gesturelocation coordinates.

A tap, when received by an a touch sensitive display 110, 114, can beused, for instance, to select an icon to initiate or terminate executionof a corresponding application, to maximize or minimize a window, toreorder windows in a stack, and to provide user input such as bykeyboard display or other displayed image. A drag, when received by atouch sensitive display 110, 114, can be used, for instance, to relocatean icon or window to a desired location within a display, to reorder astack on a display, or to span both displays (such that the selectedwindow occupies a portion of each display simultaneously). A flick, whenreceived by a touch sensitive display 110, 114 or a gesture captureregion 120, 124, can be used to relocate a window from a first displayto a second display or to span both displays (such that the selectedwindow occupies a portion of each display simultaneously). Unlike thedrag gesture, however, the flick gesture is generally not used to movethe displayed image to a specific user-selected location but to adefault location that is not configurable by the user.

The pinch gesture, when received by a touch sensitive display 110, 114or a gesture capture region 120, 124, can be used to minimize orotherwise increase the displayed area or size of a window (typicallywhen received entirely by a common display), to switch windows displayedat the top of the stack on each display to the top of the stack of theother display (typically when received by different displays orscreens), or to display an application manager (a “pop-up window” thatdisplays the windows in the stack). The spread gesture, when received bya touch sensitive display 110, 114 or a gesture capture region 120, 124,can be used to maximize or otherwise decrease the displayed area or sizeof a window, to switch windows displayed at the top of the stack on eachdisplay to the top of the stack of the other display (typically whenreceived by different displays or screens), or to display an applicationmanager (typically when received by an off-screen gesture capture regionon the same or different screens).

The combined gestures of FIG. 4G, when received by a common displaycapture region in a common display or screen 104,108, can be used tohold a first window stack location in a first stack constant for adisplay receiving the gesture while reordering a second window stacklocation in a second window stack to include a window in the displayreceiving the gesture. The combined gestures of FIG. 4H, when receivedby different display capture regions in a common display or screen104,108 or in different displays or screens, can be used to hold a firstwindow stack location in a first window stack constant for a displayreceiving the tap part of the gesture while reordering a second windowstack location in a second window stack to include a window in thedisplay receiving the flick or drag gesture. Although specific gesturesand gesture capture regions in the preceding examples have beenassociated with corresponding sets of functional results, it is to beappreciated that these associations can be redefined in any manner toproduce differing associations between gestures and/or gesture captureregions and/or functional results.

Firmware and Software:

The memory 508 may store and the processor 504 may execute one or moresoftware components. These components can include at least one operatingsystem (OS) 516, an application manager 562, a desktop 566, and/or oneor more applications 564 a and/or 564 b from an application store 560.The OS 516 can include a framework 520, one or more frame buffers 548,one or more drivers 512, previously described in conjunction with FIG.2, and/or a kernel 518. The OS 516 can be any software, consisting ofprograms and data, which manages computer hardware resources andprovides common services for the execution of various applications 564.The OS 516 can be any operating system and, at least in someembodiments, dedicated to mobile devices, including, but not limited to,Linux, ANDROID™, iPhone OS (IOS™), WINDOWS PHONE 7™, etc. The OS 516 isoperable to provide functionality to the phone by executing one or moreoperations, as described herein.

The applications 564 can be any higher level software that executesparticular functionality for the user. Applications 564 can includeprograms such as email clients, web browsers, texting applications,games, media players, office suites, etc. The applications 564 can bestored in an application store 560, which may represent any memory ordata storage, and the management software associated therewith, forstoring the applications 564. Once executed, the applications 564 may berun in a different area of memory 508.

The framework 520 may be any software or data that allows the multipletasks running on the device to interact. In embodiments, at leastportions of the framework 520 and the discrete components describedhereinafter may be considered part of the OS 516 or an application 564.However, these portions will be described as part of the framework 520,but those components are not so limited. The framework 520 can include,but is not limited to, a Multi-Display Management (MDM) module 524, aSurface Cache module 528, a Window Management module 532, an InputManagement module 536, a Task Management module 540, an ApplicationModel Manager 542, a Display Controller, one or more frame buffers 548,a task stack 552, one or more window stacks 550 (which is a logicalarrangement of windows and/or desktops in a display area), and/or anevent buffer 556.

The MDM module 524 includes one or more modules that are operable tomanage the display of applications or other data on the screens of thedevice. An embodiment of the MDM module 524 is described in conjunctionwith FIG. 5B. In embodiments, the MDM module 524 receives inputs fromthe other OS 516 components, such as, the drivers 512, and from theapplications 564 to determine continually the state of the device 100.The inputs assist the MDM module 524 in determining how to configure andallocate the displays according to the application's preferences andrequirements, and the user's actions. Once a determination for displayconfigurations is made, the MDM module 524 can bind the applications 564to a display. The configuration may then be provided to one or moreother components to generate a window with a display.

The Surface Cache module 528 includes any memory or storage and thesoftware associated therewith to store or cache one or more images ofwindows. A series of active and/or non-active windows (or other displayobjects, such as, a desktop display) can be associated with eachdisplay. An active window (or other display object) is currentlydisplayed. A non-active windows (or other display objects) were openedand, at some time, displayed but are now not displayed. To enhance theuser experience, before a window transitions from an active state to aninactive state, a “screen shot” of a last generated image of the window(or other display object) can be stored. The Surface Cache module 528may be operable to store a bitmap of the last active image of a window(or other display object) not currently displayed. Thus, the SurfaceCache module 528 stores the images of non-active windows (or otherdisplay objects) in a data store.

In embodiments, the Window Management module 532 is operable to managethe windows (or other display objects) that are active or not active oneach of the displays. The Window Management module 532, based oninformation from the MDM module 524, the OS 516, or other components,determines when a window (or other display object) is visible or notactive. The Window Management module 532 may then put a non-visiblewindow (or other display object) in a “not active state” and, inconjunction with the Task Management module Task Management 540 suspendsthe application's operation. Further, the Window Management module 532may assign, through collaborative interaction with the MDM module 524, adisplay identifier to the window (or other display object) or manage oneor more other items of data associated with the window (or other displayobject). The Window Management module 532 may also provide the storedinformation to the application 564, the Task Management module 540, orother components interacting with or associated with the window (orother display object). The Window Management module 532 can alsoassociate an input task with a window based on window focus and displaycoordinates within the motion space.

The Input Management module 536 is operable to manage events that occurwith the device. An event is any input into the window environment, forexample, a user interface interactions with a user. The Input Managementmodule 536 receives the events and logically stores the events in anevent buffer 556. Events can include such user interface interactions asa “down event,” which occurs when a screen 104, 108 receives a touchsignal from a user, a “move event,” which occurs when the screen 104,108 determines that a user's finger is moving across a screen(s), an “upevent, which occurs when the screen 104, 108 determines that the userhas stopped touching the screen 104, 108, etc. These events arereceived, stored, and forwarded to other modules by the Input Managementmodule 536. The Input Management module 536 may also map screen inputsto a motion space which is the culmination of all physical and virtualdisplay available on the device.

The motion space is a virtualized space that includes all touchsensitive displays 110,114 “tiled” together to mimic the physicaldimensions of the device 100. For example, when the device 100 isunfolded, the motion space size may be 960×800, which may be the numberof pixels in the combined display area for both touch sensitive displays110, 114. If a user touches on a first touch sensitive display 110 onlocation (40, 40), a full screen window can receive touch event withlocation (40, 40). If a user touches on a second touch sensitive display114, with location (40, 40), the full screen window can receive touchevent with location (520, 40), because the second touch sensitivedisplay 114 is on the right side of the first touch sensitive display110, so the device 100 can offset the touch by the first touch sensitivedisplay's 110 width, which is 480 pixels. When a hardware event occurswith location info from a driver 512, the framework 520 can up-scale thephysical location to the motion space because the location of the eventmay be different based on the device orientation and state. The motionspace may be as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/187,026, filed Jul. 20, 2011, entitled “Systems and Methods forReceiving Gesture Inputs Spanning Multiple Input Devices,” which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that it teachesand for all purposes.

A task can be an application and a sub-task can be an applicationcomponent that provides a window with which users can interact to dosomething, such as dial the phone, take a photo, send an email, or viewa map. Each task may be given a window in which to draw a userinterface. The window typically fills a display (for example, touchsensitive display 110,114), but may be smaller than the display 110,114and float on top of other windows. An application usually consists ofmultiple sub-tasks that are loosely bound to each other. Typically, onetask in an application is specified as the “main” task, which ispresented to the user when launching the application for the first time.Each task can then start another task or sub-task to perform differentactions.

The Task Management module 540 is operable to manage the operation ofone or more applications 564 that may be executed by the device. Thus,the Task Management module 540 can receive signals to launch, suspend,terminate, etc. an application or application sub-tasks stored in theapplication store 560. The Task Management module 540 may theninstantiate one or more tasks or sub-tasks of the application 564 tobegin operation of the application 564. Further, the Task ManagementModule 540 may launch, suspend, or terminate a task or sub-task as aresult of user input or as a result of a signal from a collaboratingframework 520 component. The Task Management Module 540 is responsiblefor managing the lifecycle of applications (tasks and sub-task) fromwhen the application is launched to when the application is terminated.

The processing of the Task Management Module 540 is facilitated by atask stack 552, which is a logical structure associated with the TaskManagement Module 540. The task stack 552 maintains the state of alltasks and sub-tasks on the device 100. When some component of theoperating system 516 requires a task or sub-task to transition in itslifecycle, the OS 516 component can notify the Task Management Module540. The Task Management Module 540 may then locate the task orsub-task, using identification information, in the task stack 552, andsend a signal to the task or sub-task indicating what kind of lifecycletransition the task needs to execute. Informing the task or sub-task ofthe transition allows the task or sub-task to prepare for the lifecyclestate transition. The Task Management Module 540 can then execute thestate transition for the task or sub-task. In embodiments, the statetransition may entail triggering the OS kernel 518 to terminate the taskwhen termination is required.

Further, the Task Management module 540 may suspend the application 564based on information from the Window Management Module 532. Suspendingthe application 564 may maintain application data in memory but maylimit or stop the application 564 from rendering a window or userinterface. Once the application becomes active again, the TaskManagement module 540 can again trigger the application to render itsuser interface. In embodiments, if a task is suspended, the task maysave the task's state in case the task is terminated. In the suspendedstate, the application task may not receive input because theapplication window is not visible to the user.

The frame buffer 548 is a logical structure(s) used to render the userinterface. The frame buffer 548 can be created and destroyed by the OSkernel 518. However, the Display Controller 544 can write the imagedata, for the visible windows, into the frame buffer 548. A frame buffer548 can be associated with one screen or multiple screens. Theassociation of a frame buffer 548 with a screen can be controlleddynamically by interaction with the OS kernel 518. A composite displaymay be created by associating multiple screens with a single framebuffer 548. Graphical data used to render an application's window userinterface may then be written to the single frame buffer 548, for thecomposite display, which is output to the multiple screens 104,108. TheDisplay Controller 544 can direct an application's user interface to aportion of the frame buffer 548 that is mapped to a particular display110,114, thus, displaying the user interface on only one screen 104 or108. The Display Controller 544 can extend the control over userinterfaces to multiple applications, controlling the user interfaces foras many displays as are associated with a frame buffer 548 or a portionthereof. This approach compensates for the multiple physical screens104,108 that are in use by the software component above the DisplayController 544.

The Application Manager 562 is an application that provides apresentation layer for the window environment. Thus, the ApplicationManager 562 provides the graphical model for rendering by the TaskManagement Module 540. Likewise, the Desktop 566 provides thepresentation layer for the Application Store 560. Thus, the desktopprovides a graphical model of a surface having selectable applicationicons for the Applications 564 in the Application Store 560 that can beprovided to the Window Management Module 556 for rendering.

Further, the framework can include an Application Model Manager (AMM)542. The Application Manager 562 may interface with the AMM 542. Inembodiments, the AMM 542 receives state change information from thedevice 100 regarding the state of applications (which are running orsuspended). The AMM 542 can associate bit map images from the SurfaceCache Module 528 to the tasks that are alive (running or suspended).Further, the AMM 542 can convert the logical window stack maintained inthe Task Manager Module 540 to a linear (“film strip” or “deck ofcards”) organization that the user perceives when the using the offgesture capture area 120 to sort through the windows. Further, the AMM542 may provide a list of executing applications to the ApplicationManager 562.

An embodiment of the MDM module 524 is shown in FIG. 5B. The MDM module524 is operable to determine the state of the environment for thedevice, including, but not limited to, the orientation of the device,whether the device 100 is opened or closed, what applications 564 areexecuting, how the applications 564 are to be displayed, what actionsthe user is conducting, the tasks being displayed, etc. To configure thedisplay, the MDM module 524 interprets these environmental factors anddetermines a display configuration, as described in conjunction withFIGS. 6A-6J. Then, the MDM module 524 can bind the applications 564 orother device components to the displays. The configuration may then besent to the Display Controller 544 and/or the other components withinthe OS 516 to generate the display. The MDM module 524 can include oneor more of, but is not limited to, a Display Configuration Module 568, aPreferences Module 572, a Device State Module 574, a Gesture Module 576,a Requirements Module 580, an Event Module 584, and/or a Binding Module588.

The Display Configuration Module 568 determines the layout for thedisplay. In embodiments, the Display Configuration Module 568 candetermine the environmental factors. The environmental factors may bereceived from one or more other MDM modules 524 or from other sources.The Display Configuration Module 568 can then determine from the list offactors the best configuration for the display. Some embodiments of thepossible configurations and the factors associated therewith aredescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-6F.

The Preferences Module 572 is operable to determine display preferencesfor an application 564 or other component. For example, an applicationcan have a preference for Single or Dual displays. The PreferencesModule 572 can determine an application's display preference (e.g., byinspecting the application's preference settings) and may allow theapplication 564 to change to a mode (e.g., single screen, dual screen,max, etc.) if the device 100 is in a state that can accommodate thepreferred mode. However, some user interface policies may disallow amode even if the mode is available. As the configuration of the devicechanges, the preferences may be reviewed to determine if a betterdisplay configuration can be achieved for an application 564.

The Device State Module 574 is operable to determine or receive thestate of the device. The state of the device can be as described inconjunction with FIGS. 3A and 3B. The state of the device can be used bythe Display Configuration Module 568 to determine the configuration forthe display. As such, the Device State Module 574 may receive inputs andinterpret the state of the device. The state information is thenprovided to the Display Configuration Module 568.

The Gesture Module 576 is shown as part of the MDM module 524, but, inembodiments, the Gesture module 576 may be a separate Framework 520component that is separate from the MDM module 524. In embodiments, theGesture Module 576 is operable to determine if the user is conductingany actions on any part of the user interface. In alternativeembodiments, the Gesture Module 576 receives user interface actions fromthe configurable area 112,116 only. The Gesture Module 576 can receivetouch events that occur on the configurable area 112,116 (or possiblyother user interface areas) by way of the Input Management Module 536and may interpret the touch events (using direction, speed, distance,duration, and various other parameters) to determine what kind ofgesture the user is performing. When a gesture is interpreted, theGesture Module 576 can initiate the processing of the gesture and, bycollaborating with other Framework 520 components, can manage therequired window animation. The Gesture Module 576 collaborates with theApplication Model Manager 542 to collect state information with respectto which applications are running (active or paused) and the order inwhich applications must appear when a user gesture is performed. TheGesture Module 576 may also receive references to bitmaps (from theSurface Cache Module 528) and live windows so that when a gesture occursit can instruct the Display Controller 544 how to move the window(s)across the display 110,114. Thus, suspended applications may appear tobe running when those windows are moved across the display 110,114.

Further, the Gesture Module 576 can receive task information either fromthe Task Manage Module 540 or the Input Management module 536. Thegestures may be as defined in conjunction with FIGS. 4A through 4H. Forexample, moving a window causes the display to render a series ofdisplay frames that illustrate the window moving. The gesture associatedwith such user interface interaction can be received and interpreted bythe Gesture Module 576. The information about the user gesture is thensent to the Task Management Module 540 to modify the display binding ofthe task.

The Requirements Module 580, similar to the Preferences Module 572, isoperable to determine display requirements for an application 564 orother component. An application can have a set display requirement thatmust be observed. Some applications require a particular displayorientation. For example, the application “Angry Birds” can only bedisplayed in landscape orientation. This type of display requirement canbe determined or received, by the Requirements Module 580. As theorientation of the device changes, the Requirements Module 580 canreassert the display requirements for the application 564. The DisplayConfiguration Module 568 can generate a display configuration that is inaccordance with the application display requirements, as provided by theRequirements Module 580.

The Event Module 584, similar to the Gesture Module 576, is operable todetermine one or more events occurring with an application or othercomponent that can affect the user interface. Thus, the Event Module 584can receive event information either from the event buffer 556 or theTask Management module 540. These events can change how the tasks arebound to the displays. The Event Module 584 can collect state changeinformation from other Framework 520 components and act upon that statechange information. In an example, when the phone is opened or closed orwhen an orientation change has occurred, a new message may be renderedin a secondary screen. The state change based on the event can bereceived and interpreted by the Event Module 584. The information aboutthe events then may be sent to the Display Configuration Module 568 tomodify the configuration of the display.

The Binding Module 588 is operable to bind the applications 564 or theother components to the configuration determined by the DisplayConfiguration Module 568. A binding associates, in memory, the displayconfiguration for each application with the display and mode of theapplication. Thus, the Binding Module 588 can associate an applicationwith a display configuration for the application (e.g. landscape,portrait, multi-screen, etc.). Then, the Binding Module 588 may assign adisplay identifier to the display. The display identifier associated theapplication with a particular display of the device 100. This binding isthen stored and provided to the Display Controller 544, the othercomponents of the OS 516, or other components to properly render thedisplay. The binding is dynamic and can change or be updated based onconfiguration changes associated with events, gestures, state changes,application preferences or requirements, etc.

User Interface Configurations:

With reference now to FIGS. 6A-J, various types of output configurationsmade possible by the device 100 will be described hereinafter.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict two different output configurations of the device100 being in a first state. Specifically, FIG. 6A depicts the device 100being in a closed portrait state 304 where the data is displayed on theprimary screen 104. In this example, the device 100 displays data viathe touch sensitive display 110 in a first portrait configuration 604.As can be appreciated, the first portrait configuration 604 may onlydisplay a desktop or operating system home screen. Alternatively, one ormore windows may be presented in a portrait orientation while the device100 is displaying data in the first portrait configuration 604.

FIG. 6B depicts the device 100 still being in the closed portrait state304, but instead data is displayed on the secondary screen 108. In thisexample, the device 100 displays data via the touch sensitive display114 in a second portrait configuration 608.

It may be possible to display similar or different data in either thefirst or second portrait configuration 604, 608. It may also be possibleto transition between the first portrait configuration 604 and secondportrait configuration 608 by providing the device 100 a user gesture(e.g., a double tap gesture), a menu selection, or other means. Othersuitable gestures may also be employed to transition betweenconfigurations. Furthermore, it may also be possible to transition thedevice 100 from the first or second portrait configuration 604, 608 toany other configuration described herein depending upon which state thedevice 100 is moved.

An alternative output configuration may be accommodated by the device100 being in a second state. Specifically, FIG. 6C depicts a thirdportrait configuration where data is displayed simultaneously on boththe primary screen 104 and the secondary screen 108. The third portraitconfiguration may be referred to as a Dual-Portrait (PD) outputconfiguration. In the PD output configuration, the touch sensitivedisplay 110 of the primary screen 104 depicts data in the first portraitconfiguration 604 while the touch sensitive display 114 of the secondaryscreen 108 depicts data in the second portrait configuration 608. Thesimultaneous presentation of the first portrait configuration 604 andthe second portrait configuration 608 may occur when the device 100 isin an open portrait state 320. In this configuration, the device 100 maydisplay one application window in one display 110 or 114, twoapplication windows (one in each display 110 and 114), one applicationwindow and one desktop, or one desktop. Other configurations may bepossible. It should be appreciated that it may also be possible totransition the device 100 from the simultaneous display ofconfigurations 604, 608 to any other configuration described hereindepending upon which state the device 100 is moved. Furthermore, whilein this state, an application's display preference may place the deviceinto bilateral mode, in which both displays are active to displaydifferent windows in the same application. For example, a Cameraapplication may display a viewfinder and controls on one side, while theother side displays a mirrored preview that can be seen by the photosubjects. Games involving simultaneous play by two players may also takeadvantage of bilateral mode.

FIGS. 6D and 6E depicts two further output configurations of the device100 being in a third state. Specifically, FIG. 6D depicts the device 100being in a closed landscape state 340 where the data is displayed on theprimary screen 104. In this example, the device 100 displays data viathe touch sensitive display 110 in a first landscape configuration 612.Much like the other configurations described herein, the first landscapeconfiguration 612 may display a desktop, a home screen, one or morewindows displaying application data, or the like.

FIG. 6E depicts the device 100 still being in the closed landscape state340, but instead data is displayed on the secondary screen 108. In thisexample, the device 100 displays data via the touch sensitive display114 in a second landscape configuration 616. It may be possible todisplay similar or different data in either the first or second portraitconfiguration 612, 616. It may also be possible to transition betweenthe first landscape configuration 612 and second landscape configuration616 by providing the device 100 with one or both of a twist and tapgesture or a flip and slide gesture. Other suitable gestures may also beemployed to transition between configurations. Furthermore, it may alsobe possible to transition the device 100 from the first or secondlandscape configuration 612, 616 to any other configuration describedherein depending upon which state the device 100 is moved.

FIG. 6F depicts a third landscape configuration where data is displayedsimultaneously on both the primary screen 104 and the secondary screen108. The third landscape configuration may be referred to as aDual-Landscape (LD) output configuration. In the LD outputconfiguration, the touch sensitive display 110 of the primary screen 104depicts data in the first landscape configuration 612 while the touchsensitive display 114 of the secondary screen 108 depicts data in thesecond landscape configuration 616. The simultaneous presentation of thefirst landscape configuration 612 and the second landscape configuration616 may occur when the device 100 is in an open landscape state 340. Itshould be appreciated that it may also be possible to transition thedevice 100 from the simultaneous display of configurations 612, 616 toany other configuration described herein depending upon which state thedevice 100 is moved.

FIGS. 6G and 6H depict two views of a device 100 being in yet anotherstate. Specifically, the device 100 is depicted as being in an easelstate 312. FIG. 6G shows that a first easel output configuration 618 maybe displayed on the touch sensitive display 110. FIG. 6H shows that asecond easel output configuration 620 may be displayed on the touchsensitive display 114. The device 100 may be configured to depict eitherthe first easel output configuration 618 or the second easel outputconfiguration 620 individually. Alternatively, both the easel outputconfigurations 618, 620 may be presented simultaneously. In someembodiments, the easel output configurations 618, 620 may be similar oridentical to the landscape output configurations 612, 616. The device100 may also be configured to display one or both of the easel outputconfigurations 618, 620 while in a modified easel state 316. It shouldbe appreciated that simultaneous utilization of the easel outputconfigurations 618, 620 may facilitate two-person games (e.g.,Battleship®, chess, checkers, etc.), multi-user conferences where two ormore users share the same device 100, and other applications. As can beappreciated, it may also be possible to transition the device 100 fromthe display of one or both configurations 618, 620 to any otherconfiguration described herein depending upon which state the device 100is moved.

FIG. 6I depicts yet another output configuration that may beaccommodated while the device 100 is in an open portrait state 320.Specifically, the device 100 may be configured to present a singlecontinuous image across both touch sensitive displays 110, 114 in aportrait configuration referred to herein as a Portrait-Max (PMax)configuration 624. In this configuration, data (e.g., a single image,application, window, icon, video, etc.) may be split and displayedpartially on one of the touch sensitive displays while the other portionof the data is displayed on the other touch sensitive display. The Pmaxconfiguration 624 may facilitate a larger display and/or betterresolution for displaying a particular image on the device 100. Similarto other output configurations, it may be possible to transition thedevice 100 from the Pmax configuration 624 to any other outputconfiguration described herein depending upon which state the device 100is moved.

FIG. 6J depicts still another output configuration that may beaccommodated while the device 100 is in an open landscape state 348.Specifically, the device 100 may be configured to present a singlecontinuous image across both touch sensitive displays 110, 114 in alandscape configuration referred to herein as a Landscape-Max (LMax)configuration 628. In this configuration, data (e.g., a single image,application, window, icon, video, etc.) may be split and displayedpartially on one of the touch sensitive displays while the other portionof the data is displayed on the other touch sensitive display. The Lmaxconfiguration 628 may facilitate a larger display and/or betterresolution for displaying a particular image on the device 100. Similarto other output configurations, it may be possible to transition thedevice 100 from the Lmax configuration 628 to any other outputconfiguration described herein depending upon which state the device 100is moved.

The device 100 manages desktops and/or windows with at least one windowstack 700, 728, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A window stack 700, 728 isa logical arrangement of active and/or inactive windows for amulti-screen device. For example, the window stack 700, 728 may belogically similar to a deck of cards, where one or more windows ordesktops are arranged in order, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. An activewindow is a window that is currently being displayed on at least one ofthe touch sensitive displays 110, 114. For example, windows 104 and 108are active windows and are displayed on touch sensitive displays 110 and114. An inactive window is a window that was opened and displayed but isnow “behind” an active window and not being displayed. In embodiments,an inactive window may be for an application that is suspended, andthus, the window is not displaying active content. For example, windows712, 716, 720, and 724 are inactive windows.

A window stack 700, 728 may have various arrangements or organizationalstructures. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the device 100 includesa first stack 760 associated with a first touch sensitive display 110and a second stack associated with a second touch sensitive display 114.Thus, each touch sensitive display 110, 114 can have an associatedwindow stack 760, 764. These two window stacks 760, 764 may havedifferent numbers of windows arranged in the respective stacks 760, 764.Further, the two window stacks 760, 764 can also be identifieddifferently and managed separately. Thus, the first window stack 760 canbe arranged in order from a first window 704 to a next window 720 to alast window 724 and finally to a desktop 722, which, in embodiments, isat the “bottom” of the window stack 760. In embodiments, the desktop 722is not always at the “bottom” as application windows can be arranged inthe window stack below the desktop 722, and the desktop 722 can bebrought to the “top” of a stack over other windows during a desktopreveal Likewise, the second stack 764 can be arranged from a firstwindow 708 to a next window 712 to a last window 716, and finally to adesktop 718, which, in embodiments, is a single desktop area, withdesktop 722, under all the windows in both window stack 760 and windowstack 764. A logical data structure for managing the two window stacks760, 764 may be as described in conjunction with FIG. 8.

Another arrangement for a window stack 728 is shown in FIG. 7B. In thisembodiment, there is a single window stack 728 for both touch sensitivedisplays 110, 114. Thus, the window stack 728 is arranged from a desktop758 to a first window 744 to a last window 756. A window can be arrangedin a position among all windows without an association to a specifictouch sensitive display 110, 114. In this embodiment, a window is in theorder of windows. Further, at least one window is identified as beingactive. For example, a single window may be rendered in two portions 732and 736 that are displayed on the first touch sensitive screen 110 andthe second touch sensitive screen 114. The single window may only occupya single position in the window stack 728 although it is displayed onboth displays 110, 114.

Yet another arrangement of a window stack 760 is shown in FIGS. 7Cthrough 7E. The window stack 760 is shown in three “elevation” views. InFIG. 7C, the top of the window stack 760 is shown. Two sides of thewindow stack 760 are shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E. In this embodiment, thewindow stack 760 resembles a stack of bricks. The windows are stacked oneach other. Looking from the top of the window stack 760 in FIG. 7C,only the top most windows in the window stack 760 are seen in differentportions of the composite display 764. The composite display 764represents a logical model for the entire display area of the device100, which can include touch sensitive display 110 and touch sensitivedisplay 114. A desktop 786 or a window can occupy part or all of thecomposite display 764.

In the embodiment shown, the desktop 786 is the lowest display or“brick” in the window stack 760. Thereupon, window 1 782, window 2 782,window 3 768, and window 4 770 are layered. Window 1 782, window 3 768,window 2 782, and window 4 770 only occupy a portion of the compositedisplay 764. Thus, another part of the stack 760 includes window 8 774and windows 5 through 7 shown in section 790. Only the top window in anyportion of the composite display 764 is actually rendered and displayed.Thus, as shown in the top view in FIG. 7C, window 4 770, window 8 774,and window 3 768 are displayed as being at the top of the display indifferent portions of the window stack 760. A window can be dimensionedto occupy only a portion of the composite display 760 to “reveal”windows lower in the window stack 760. For example, window 3 768 islower in the stack than both window 4 770 and window 8 774 but is stilldisplayed. A logical data structure to manage the window stack can be asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 8.

When a new window is opened, the newly activated window is generallypositioned at the top of the stack. However, where and how the window ispositioned within the stack can be a function of the orientation of thedevice 100, the context of what programs, functions, software, etc. arebeing executed on the device 100, how the stack is positioned when thenew window is opened, etc. To insert the window in the stack, theposition in the stack for the window is determined and the touchsensitive display 110, 114 to which the window is associated may also bedetermined. With this information, a logical data structure for thewindow can be created and stored. When user interface or other events ortasks change the arrangement of windows, the window stack(s) can bechanged to reflect the change in arrangement. It should be noted thatthese same concepts described above can be used to manage the one ormore desktops for the device 100.

A logical data structure 800 for managing the arrangement of windows ordesktops in a window stack is shown in FIG. 8. The logical datastructure 800 can be any data structure used to store data whether anobject, record, file, etc. The logical data structure 800 can be storedin any type of database or data storage system, regardless of protocolor standard. In embodiments, the logical data structure 800 includes oneor more portions, fields, attributes, etc. that store data in a logicalarrangement that allows for easy storage and retrieval of theinformation. Hereinafter, these one or more portions, fields,attributes, etc. shall be described simply as fields. The fields canstore data for a window identifier 804, dimensions 808, a stack positionidentifier 812, a display identifier 816, and/or an active indicator820. Each window in a window stack can have an associated logical datastructure 800. While only a single logical data structure 800 is shownin FIG. 8, there may be more or fewer logical data structures 800 usedwith a window stack (based on the number of windows or desktops in thestack), as represented by ellipses 824. Further, there may be more orfewer fields than those shown in FIG. 8, as represented by ellipses 828.

A window identifier 804 can include any identifier (ID) that uniquelyidentifies the associated window in relation to other windows in thewindow stack. The window identifier 804 can be a globally uniqueidentifier (GUID), a numeric ID, an alphanumeric ID, or other type ofidentifier. In embodiments, the window identifier 804 can be one, two,or any number of digits based on the number of windows that can beopened. In alternative embodiments, the size of the window identifier804 may change based on the number of windows opened. While the windowis open, the window identifier 804 may be static and remain unchanged.

Dimensions 808 can include dimensions for a window in the compositedisplay 760. For example, the dimensions 808 can include coordinates fortwo or more corners of the window or may include one coordinate anddimensions for the width and height of the window. These dimensions 808can delineate what portion of the composite display 760 the window mayoccupy, which may the entire composite display 760 or only part ofcomposite display 760. For example, window 4 770 may have dimensions 880that indicate that the window 770 will occupy only part of the displayarea for composite display 760, as shown in FIGS. 7 c through 7E. Aswindows are moved or inserted in the window stack, the dimensions 808may change.

A stack position identifier 812 can be any identifier that can identifythe position in the stack for the window or may be inferred from thewindow's control record within a data structure, such as a list or astack. The stack position identifier 812 can be a GUID, a numeric ID, analphanumeric ID, or other type of identifier. Each window or desktop caninclude a stack position identifier 812. For example, as shown in FIG.7A, window 1 704 in stack 1 760 can have a stack position identifier 812of 1 identifying that window 704 is the first window in the stack 760and the active window. Similarly, window 6 724 can have a stack positionidentifier 812 of 3 representing that window 724 is the third window inthe stack 760. Window 2 708 can also have a stack position identifier812 of 1 representing that window 708 is the first window in the secondstack 764. As shown in FIG. 7B, window 1 744 can have a stack positionidentifier 812 of 1, window 3, rendered in portions 732 and 736, canhave a stack position identifier 812 of 3, and window 6 756 can have astack position identifier 812 of 6. Thus, depending on the type ofstack, the stack position identifier 812 can represent a window'slocation in the stack.

A display identifier 816 can identify that the window or desktop isassociated with a particular display, such as the first display 110 orthe second display 114, or the composite display 760 composed of bothdisplays. While this display identifier 816 may not be needed for amulti-stack system, as shown in FIG. 7A, the display identifier 816 canindicate whether a window in the serial stack of FIG. 7B is displayed ona particular display. Thus, window 3 may have two portions 732 and 736in FIG. 7B. The first portion 732 may have a display identifier 816 forthe first display while the second portion 736 may have a displayidentifier 816 for the second display 114. However, in alternativeembodiments, the window may have two display identifier 816 thatrepresent that the window is displayed on both of the displays 110, 114,or a display identifier 816 identifying the composite display. Inanother alternate embodiment, the window may have a single displayidentifier 816 to represent that the window is displayed on both of thedisplays 110, 114.

Similar to the display identifier 816, an active indicator 820 may notbe needed with the dual stack system of FIG. 7A, as the window in stackposition 1 is active and displayed. In the system of FIG. 7B, the activeindicator 820 can indicate which window(s) in the stack is beingdisplayed. Thus, window 3 may have two portions 732 and 736 in FIG. 7.The first portion 732 may have an active indicator 820 while the secondportion 736 may also have an active indicator 820. However, inalternative embodiments, window 3 may have a single active indicator820. The active indicator 820 can be a simple flag or bit thatrepresents that the window is active or displayed.

An embodiment of a method 900 for creating a window stack is shown inFIG. 9. While a general order for the steps of the method 900 is shownin FIG. 9. Generally, the method 900 starts with a start operation 904and ends with an end operation 928. The method 900 can include more orfewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differently than thoseshown in FIG. 9. The method 900 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method900 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-8.

A multi-screen device 100 can receive activation of a window, in step908. In embodiments, the multi-screen device 100 can receive activationof a window by receiving an input from the touch sensitive display 110or 114, the configurable area 112 or 116, a gesture capture region 120or 124, or some other hardware sensor operable to receive user interfaceinputs. The processor may execute the Task Management Module 540 mayreceive the input. The Task Management Module 540 can interpret theinput as requesting an application task to be executed that will open awindow in the window stack.

In embodiments, the Task Management Module 540 places the user interfaceinteraction in the task stack 552 to be acted upon by the DisplayConfiguration Module 568 of the Multi-Display Management Module 524.Further, the Task Management Module 540 waits for information from theMulti-Display Management Module 524 to send instructions to the WindowManagement Module 532 to create the window in the window stack.

The Multi-Display Management Module 524, upon receiving instruction fromthe Task Management Module 540, determines to which touch portion of thecomposite display 760, the newly activated window should be associated,in step 912. For example, window 4 770 is associated with the a portionof the composite display 764 In embodiments, the device state module 574of the Multi-Display Management Module 524 may determine how the deviceis oriented or in what state the device is in, e.g., open, closed,portrait, etc. Further, the preferences module 572 and/or requirementsmodule 580 may determine how the window is to be displayed. The gesturemodule 576 may determine the user's intentions about how the window isto be opened based on the type of gesture and the location of where thegesture is made.

The Display Configuration Module 568 may use the input from thesemodules and evaluate the current window stack 760 to determine the bestplace and the best dimensions, based on a visibility algorithm, to openthe window. Thus, the Display Configuration Module 568 determines thebest place to put the window at the top of the window stack 760, in step916. The visibility algorithm, in embodiments, determines for allportions of the composite display, which windows are at the top of thestack. For example, the visibility algorithm determines that window 3768, window 4 770, and window 8 774 are at the top of the stack 760 asviewed in FIGS. 7C through 7E. Upon determining where to open thewindow, the Display Configuration Module 568 can assign a displayidentifier 816 and possibly dimensions 808 to the window. The displayidentifier 816 and dimensions 808 can then be sent back to the TaskManagement Module 540. The Task Management Module 540 may then assignthe window a stack position identifier 812 indicating the windowsposition at the top of the window stack.

In embodiments, the Task Management Module 540 sends the window stackinformation and instructions to render the window to the WindowManagement Module 532. The Window Management Module 532 and the TaskManagement Module 540 can create the logical data structure 800, in step924. Both the Task Management Module 540 and the Window ManagementModule 532 may create and manage copies of the window stack. Thesecopies of the window stack can be synchronized or kept similar throughcommunications between the Window Management Module 532 and the TaskManagement Module 540. Thus, the Window Management Module 532 and theTask Management Module 540, based on the information determined by theMulti-Display Management Module 524, can assign dimensions 808, a stackposition identifier 812 (e.g., window 1 782, window 4 770, etc.), adisplay identifier 816 (e.g., touch sensitive display 1 110, touchsensitive display 2 114, composite display identifier, etc,), and anactive indicator 820, which is generally always set when the window isat the “top” of the stack. The logical data structure 800 may then bestored by both the Window Management Module 532 and the Task ManagementModule 540. Further, the Window Management Module 532 and the TaskManagement Module 540may thereinafter manage the window stack and thelogical data structure(s) 800.

An embodiment of a method 1000 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 10. While a general order for the steps of the method 1000 is shownin FIG. 10. Generally, the method 1000 starts with a start operation1004 and ends with an end operation 1040. The method 1000 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 10. The method 1000 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method1000 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-48.

An application is executed, in step 1008. In embodiments, a processor204 receives indication to execute an application through a userinterface 110, 114, 112, 116, etc. The indication can be a selection ofan icon associated with the application. In other embodiments, theindication can be a signal generated from another application or event,such as receiving an e-mail or other communication, which causes theapplication to execute automatically. The processor 204 can retrieve theapplication 564 a from the application store 560 and begin itsexecution. In executing the application 564 a, a user interface can begenerated for a user, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 11-61D.

In creating a user interface, the application 564 a can begin executingto create a manifest, in step 1012. A manifest is a data structure thatindicates the capabilities of the application 564 a. The manifest cangenerally be created from the resources in the resources directory ofthe application 564 a. The resources directory can indicate the types ofmodes, locations, or other indications for how the user interface shouldbe configured in the multi-display device 100. For example, the severalmodes can include: “classic mode” that indicates that the application564 a is capable of being displayed on a single screen or display110/114; “dual mode” that indicates that the application 564 a iscapable of being displaced on two or more displays110 and 114; “maxmode” that indicates the application 564 a is capable of being displayedor desires to be displayed across multiple displays 110 and 114; and/or“bilateral mode” that indicates that the application 564 a is capable ofbeing displayed on 2 or more displays 110 and 114 when the device 100 isin easel mode (see FIGS. 1I and/or 1J).

Similarly, the manifest can include a desired or allowed location withinthe displays 110/114. The possible locations can include: “left”, whichindicates that the application 564 a desires to be displayed on the leftdisplay 110; “right”, which indicates that the application 564 a desiresto be displayed on the right display 114; and/or other indications ofwhere a location should be including possible “top” and/or “bottom” ofone or more of the displays 110/114.

The application 564 a can also indicate that it desires to be displayedin a “minimum” window, which is a window that occupies less than thefull area of a single display. There may be other modes possible for theapplication 564 a, which may be included in the manifest. The manifestcan be sent from the application 564 a to the multi-display managementmodule 524.

The multi-display management module 524 can receive the manifest, instep 1016. In receiving the manifest, the multi-display managementmodule 524 can use the information to determine a display binding forthe application 564 a. The manifest may be received more than once fromthe application 564 a based on changes in how the application 564 a isbeing executed, where the application 564 a desires to have a differentdisplay setting for the new mode. Thus, with the manifest, theapplication 564 a can indicate to the multi-display management module524 how best to or what is the desired for the application's userinterface. The multi-display management module 524 can use theinformation in the manifest to determine the best fit for the userinterface depending on how the device 100 is currently configured.

The multi-display management module 524 can determine the applicationdisplay mode, in step 1020. Here the multi-display management module 524receives or retrieves an indication of the device 100 configuration. Forexample, the multi-display management module 524 can determine if thedevice is in single display configuration (see FIG. 6A, 6B, 6D, or 6E),dual display configuration (see FIG. 6C or 6F), bilateral displayconfiguration (see FIG. 6G or 6H), or one of the other displayconfigurations (see FIG. 6I or 6J).

Further, the multi-display management module 524 can determine if thedevice 100 is in a portrait or landscape orientation. With thisinformation, the multi-display management module 524 may then considerthe capabilities or preferences listed for the application 564 a in thereceived manifest. The combined information may then allow themulti-display management module 524 to determine a display binding. Thedisplay binding can include which of the one or more displays 110 and/or114 are going to be used to display the application's user interface(s).For example, the multi-display management module 524 can determine thatthe primary display 110, the secondary display 114, or all displays 110and 114 of the device 100 will be used to display the application's userinterface.

The display modes setting can be assigned by creating or setting anumber in the display binding. This number can be “0” for the primarydisplay 110, “1” for the secondary display 114, or “2” for dual displays110 and 114. The display mode setting can also indicate if theapplication 564 a should display the user interface in portrait orlandscape orientation. Further, there may be other settings, forexample, providing a max mode or other setting that may indicate how theapplication 564 a is to be displayed on the device. The display bindinginformation is stored in a data structure to create and set a binding,in step 1024.

The established display binding may then be provided, by themulti-display management module 524, to the application 564 a, in step1028. The provided display binding data structure can become anattribute of the application 564 a. An application 564 a maythereinafter store the display binding attribute in the memory of thedevice 100. The application 564 a with the display binding may thengenerate a user interface based on this display binding. The application564 a may be unaware of the position of the display 110/114 but may,from the display binding, be able to determine the size of the availableuser interface to generate a window that has particular characteristicsfor that display setting.

When a configuration change happens to the device 100, the multi-displaymanagement module 524 may change the display binding and send a newdisplay binding to the application 564 a. In embodiments, themulti-display management module 524 may indicate to the application 564a that there is a new binding or, in other embodiments, the application564 a may request a display configuration change or a new displaybinding, in which case the multi-display management module 524 may senda new display binding to the application 564 a. Thus, the multi-displaymanagement module 524 can change the configuration of the display forthe application 564 a by altering the display binding for theapplication 564 a during the execution of that application 564 a.

The multi-display management module 524 thereinafter, while theapplication 564 a is executing, can determine if there has been aconfiguration change to the device 100, in step 1032. The configurationchange may be an event (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) triggered by one or moresignals from one or more hardware sensor 172, 176, etc. For example, ifthe device 100 is changed from portrait 304 to landscape 340orientation, Hall effect sensors 172 may indicate to the framework 520that a display configuration change has been made. Other changes mayinclude transitions from a single display 304 to a dual displayconfiguration 320, by opening the device. Other types of configurationchanges may be possible and may be signaled to alert the multi-displaymanagement module 524 of the configuration change. If a configurationchange has been made, the method 1000 proceeds YES to step 1020 so thatthe multi-display management module 524 can determine new applicationdisplay mode settings and create a new display binding, which may bepassed to the application 564 a. If there are no configuration changes,the method 1000 precedes NO to step 1036.

In step 1036, a new application mode change may be determined.Application mode changes can also occur in the application 564 a, andthus, the application 564 a can determine if something has occurredwithin the application 564 a that requires a different display setting.Modes are described hereinafter with respect to FIG. 12. The mode changecan create a desire to change the display 110/114, and thus, require theapplication 564 a to generate a new manifest. If the application 564 adoes sense a mode change or an event has occurred that requires a changein display setting, the method 1000 proceeds YES back to step 1012. Atstep 1012, a new manifest or preference is created by the application564 a that may be received by the multi-display management module 524 todetermine if the multi-display management module 524 can change thedisplay binding. If it is possible to provide the preferred display, themulti-display management module 524 can create a new display binding andsend display binding back to the application 564 a and allow theapplication 564 a to alter its user interface. If no mode change issensed or an event is not received to create a mode change, the method1000 proceeds NO to end operation 1040.

An example of an image capture feature or application 1100 is shown inFIG. 11. An image capture feature 1100 can acquire static images, suchas pictures, and/or dynamic images, such as videos. The image capturefeature 1100 can be displayed on one or more screens 110, 114 of thedevice 100. The image capture feature 1100 may have one or more userselectable buttons or icons. For example, selectable icon 1104 may betouched to zoom into an image or to do some other function. A field1108, within an image capture window 1116, can display a preview of theimage that the user desires to capture. A menu or control bar 1112 caninclude one or more user selectable icons or buttons to providedifferent functionality to the image capture feature 1100. For example,button and slide bar 1124 allow the user to switch from capturingpictures to capturing video. User selectable device 1128, when selected,begins the image acquisition whether the image is a picture or a video.Further, a gallery 1120, showing thumbnails of previously capturedpictures or videos, may be provided on the control bar 1112. Otherbuttons, such as user selectable button or icon 1132, allows the user toswitch between image capture modes, as discussed herein, such as theforward facing or rear facing image capture modes.

In a dual screen portrait orientation, as shown in FIG. 12, the imagecapture feature 1100 may include a first display 1200 and a seconddisplay 1204. The first display 1200 may be similar or the same as thatdescribed in FIG. 11. A second screen 1204 might provide a gallery ofrecently acquired images. For example, an thumbnail or other displayfeature 1208 may represent one of the recently acquired videos orimages. A set of one or more user selectable icons 1212 allow the userto conduct functions on the image or image representation 1208.

The display 1204 may be navigable as it may be slid or be moved, withuser interface input, to view or select other images. The number ofimages displayed within the user navigable display 1204 may be limited.There may be only a select number of images that can be displayed orselected by the user in display 1204. To view other images not currentlyshown, the user may need to navigate within the display 1204 or select agallery function. A gallery function may be provided to view all imagesthat have been acquired by the image capture function 1100, as describedhereinafter.

An embodiment of a method 1300 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 13. While a general order for the steps of the method 1300 is shownin FIG. 13. Generally, the method 1300 starts with a start operation1304 and ends with an end operation 1332. The method 1300 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 13. The method 1300 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method1300 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-16B.

In a first device configuration, the device 100 may have a first screen110 and a second screen 114 and the device 100 may be in a closed stateas described herein. In this closed state, the first and second screens110, 114 may face opposite directions. In a first display mode, a firstwindow may be provided or presented on a first screen 110. While in thismode, the device 100 may receive an input from a user. The inputreceived can request the execution of image capture function 1100, instep 1308. The device 100 can determine an image capture function 1100configuration based on the devices state and display mode, in step 1312.The device 100 can determine a devices orientation, in step 1316, adevice state, in step 1320, and a device image capture mode, in step1324. Based on the determined orientation, state, and image capturemode, the device 100 may enter an image capture mode that is presentedto the user, in step 1328.

At some time thereinafter, while remaining in the image capture mode,the device 100 may receive an orientation change. The orientation changecan include a rotation of the device 100, the device 100 moving from aclosed state to an open state, or from an open state to a closed state.The rotation of the device 100 may be from portrait to landscape or fromlandscape to portrait, or the device 100 may be flipped such that thescreens face different directions from their original configuration.When received, and based on the new orientation, the device 100 maypresent a new image capture mode by providing a different type ofdisplay for the image capture function 1100 1110. A least a portion ofthe first and/or second screen 110, 114 change from the original displayto the new display.

A first set of modes is shown in FIGS. 14A through 16B. In FIGS. 14Athrough 16B, the device 100 is in a closed state and landscapeorientation. The image capture mode 1400 is to capture an outward facingimage (e.g. a scene in front of the user). Further, while in the outwardfacing image mode, three or more different configurations for the imagecapture feature 1100 may be presented.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the second screen 114, facing theuser, shows a preview 1404 in the window 114. The control bar 1112 isarranged vertically along the right side of the display window 1100. Thefirst screen 110, which faces the scene to be captured in the image, isshown in FIG. 14B. The second display 1408 is disabled and is notdisplaying anything. As such, display 1408 is is blank in thisconfiguration and is viewed as a black screen by anyone in front of theuser.

In a second configuration 1500 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the preview1404 is again shown in screen 114. In contrast to FIG. 14B, an image1504 is displayed in the first screen 110, as shown in FIG. 15B. Thefirst screen 110 shows an image that looks like a camera lens to anyonein front of the user. Thus, the party in the scene to be captured ispresented with a visual indicia that indicates a picture or image isbeing taken.

Still another configuration is presented in FIGS. 16A and 16B. In FIG.16A, a second screen 114 again shows the preview 1404 as described inFIGS. 14A and 15A. However, the first screen 110 also displays a preview1604 to the party in the scene to be captured. As such, the preview isdisplayed both on the first screen 110 and the second screen 114. Thisconfiguration allows the party who is having their image taken topreview or see what image is being captured.

These different outward facing configurations allow the user to selectdifferent functions that are best suited for the image being captured.For example, the dual preview screens presented in FIGS. 16A and 16Ballow a user to provide a camera to a third party and still preview theimage although they may not be taking the picture.

An embodiment of a method 1700 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 17. While a general order for the steps of the method 1700 is shownin FIG. 17. Generally, the method 1700 starts with a start operation1704 and ends with an end operation 1732. The method 1700 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 17. The method 1700 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method1700 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-18.

A next mode available with the image capture function 1100 may be aself-portrait mode. Similar to the method described in conjunction withFIG. 13, the device 100 may receive user input to execute an imagecapture function 1100, in step 1708. The input may be received in adevice 100 that has at least the first screen 110 and second screen 114.The device 100 may then make one or more determinations. For example,the device 100 may determine an image capture function 1100configuration, in step 1712. The image capture function 1100configuration may be a self-portrait mode. Further, the device 100 maydetermine the devices orientation, in step 1716, as described herein.The device 100 may also determine a devices state, in step 1720. Fromthese different determinations the device 100 may then determine thatthe image capture mode is for a self-portrait, in step 1724. Based onthe determination that the device is un a self-portrait mode, the device100 may enter the self-portrait configuration, in step 1728.

An example of a self-portrait configuration 1800 is as shown in FIG. 18.The device 100 configuration 1800 may provide a preview screen 1804. Tolimit the amount of hardware provided with the device 100, there may bea single lens or other hardware used to capture the image, as shown inFIGS. 1A-1J. As shown in FIG. 11, the lens 1136 is associated with thefirst screen 110. Thus, to accomplish a self-portrait, the first screen110 must face the user. This device orientation is in contrast to whatis shown in FIGS. 14A through 16B where the lens faces away from theuser to attain an outward facing image. Further, the device 100 may bein the closed state in landscape orientation such that the lensassociated with the screen is pointing towards the user.

The other screen 114 may be disabled. Thus, the second screen 114 cannotreceive user input while the device is a self-portrait mode. Prohibitinguser input on the second screen 114 prevents inadvertent interfere withthe capture of the self-portrait. Thus, the preview 1804 and all thecontrols 1112 for capturing the self-image are facing the user whilenothing is displayed away from the user. The control bar 1112 is alsoprovided in the single screen 110 with the preview 1804. Thus, thedevice 100 may allow for the user to enter user interface input while inthe self-portrait mode with the screen 110 facing the user, as shown inFIG. 18.

It should be noted that to switch between the different modes asdescribed in FIGS. 13 through 18, different user interfaces inputs maybe received. For example, the user interface input to change the displayon the outward facing screen, as shown in FIGS. 14A through 16B, mayinclude one or more inputs or gestures into a gesture capture region120, 124, as described herein. For example, the input can be two or moretaps in the gesture capture region 120, 124 to change the display on theoutward facing screen 110. Alternatively, the taps may be to switch froman outward facing image to a self-portrait. The taps or the sequence oftaps may cause the device 100 to present other user interfaces orwindows that allow the user to acknowledge a desire to switch to theother screen or change the configuration of the device 100.

The user may then select an icon or user selectable device, within thepresented window, to switch to the desired configuration where thedevice 100 will execute a change of the displays in response to theselection of the icon. The user may also select a second user interfacedevice in the presented window, to cancel the switch in theconfiguration, and thus, acknowledge that the taps or user interfaceinput may be inadvertent.

Input may also be received outside the gesture capture region 120, 124that can request a switch to a second screen 114 or change a display.The gesture capture region 120, 124 may be on a first screen 110 and/ora second screen 114, as described herein. The change of displays mayalso include a determination of the state of the phone, such that, thestate of the phone may provide different display configurations for theimage capture function 1100. One of the device state changes, which maycause a different display configuration, is a switch from a singlescreen view, as shown in FIG. 11, to a dual screen view, as shown inFIG. 12.

An embodiment of a method 1900 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 19. While a general order for the steps of the method 1900 is shownin FIG. 19. Generally, the method 1900 starts with a start operation1904 and ends with an end operation 1932. The method 1900 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 19. The method 1900 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method1900 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-20.

The device 100 may receive user input to execute the image capturefunction 1100, in step 1908. The device 100 can have at least a firstscreen 110 and second screen 114 and execute the image capture function1100 upon receiving the user input. In order to determine how to displaythe image capture function 1100 in the device 100, the device 100 maydetermine an image capture function 1100 mode, in step 1912. The imagecapture function 1100 mode 1100 can be such items as self-portrait mode,outward facing mode, or other types of modes.

The device 100 may also determine a device orientation, in step 1916.The devices orientation may be portrait, landscape, or other types ofdevice configurations. The device 100 may also determine a device state,in step 1920. The device state may include whether the device 100 isopened or closed or other types of orientations. The device orientationand state are described further herein. Through these differentdeterminations, the device 100 may determine that the image capture modeis for a dual screen configuration, in step 1924. Upon determining thatthe image capture mode is a dual screen configuration, the device 100may enter the dual screen configuration, in step 1928.

While in the dual screen configuration, the device 100 is in an openstate and may be in a landscape or portrait orientation. An example ofthe dual screen portrait orientation is shown in FIG. 12. An example ofthe dual screen landscape orientation 2000 is shown in FIG. 20. The lens168 may be associated with either a first or second screen 110, 114 but,as an example, is shown only associated with the first screen 110, inFIG. 20.

While in the dual screen orientation, the image capture function 1100presents an inward facing image 2004 and may be in a self-portrait mode.A first screen 110 may display a preview 2004 of the image to beacquired in the self-portrait mode. The second screen 114 may providefor a film roll 1204 that displays one or more previously acquiredimages. The second screen 114 may provide a display for a last imageacquired. Thus, instead of a film roll 2008, the second display 114 mayprovide for an image displayed across the entire second screen 114. Instill other configurations, a preview of an image to be acquired may bepresented across both the first and second screens 110, 114, such thatthe image is larger than what is normally shown in the a single screenview.

An embodiment of a method 2100 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 21. While a general order for the steps of the method 2100 is shownin FIG. 21. Generally, the method 2100 starts with a start operation2104 and ends with an end operation 2124. The method 2100 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 21. The method 2100 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method2100 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-20.

While in the dual screen mode, device orientation changes may bereceived. For example, the dual screen orientation as shown in FIG. 12may change to that shown in FIG. 20 when the device 100 is rotatedeither clockwise or counterclockwise. Thus, the device 100 may receive auser input to execute an image capture function 1100, in step 2108. Afirst display 1200 may be presented for the image capture function 1100,in step 2112, as described hereinbefore in FIGS. 13 through 19. Afterpresenting the first display 1200 for the image capture function 1100,the device 100 may receive a rotation of the device 100, in step 2116.In response to the rotation of the device 100, the device 100 maypresent a second display 2000 for the image capture function 1100 thatis different from the first display 1200, in step 2120.

The image capturing function may be configured to be in a dual screenorientation capturing an inward facing image, as shown in FIG. 12. Thus,the device 100 is in an open state and the first display 1200 is in aportrait orientation. With the rotation, the display can change to alandscape orientation 2000, as shown in FIG. 20. One or more portions ofthe display may change due to the rotation. For example, the previewimage 1108, shown in FIG. 12, changes to a landscape orientation 2004,shown in FIG. 20.

Likewise, the film roll 1204, shown in FIG. 12, changes to a landscapeorientation 2008, shown in FIG. 20. As the film roll 1204, 2008 isnavigable, the film roll 2008 may now move horizontally rather thanvertically along the long axis of the screen 114, thus the film roll2008 changes movement from a vertical orientation to a horizontalorientation. Further, the images within the film roll 2008 may changefrom a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation.

Unlike the preview 1200 or the film roll 1204, the camera controls shownin the control area 1112 may be in a fixed position, as shown in FIG.20. The image preview 2004 may remain in the first screen 110 whilechanging the device's orientation during the rotation of the device 100.Thus, the device 100 can change the look and feel of the dual screendisplay when the device 100 is rotated from a portrait orientation shownin FIG. 12 to a landscape orientation of FIG. 20. It should be noted toothat the device 100 may be rotated back to the portrait orientation inFIG. 12, where the changes are reversed and the display is as shown inFIG. 12.

An embodiment of a method 2200 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 22. While a general order for the steps of the method 2200 is shownin FIG. 22. Generally, the method 2200 starts with a start operation2204 and ends with an end operation 2224. The method 2200 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 22. The method 2200 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method2200 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-21.

The method 2200 begins by providing a device 100 having at least a firstscreen 110 and second screen 114. The device 100 can be as described inconjunction with FIG. 1A through FIG. 10. The device 100, through a userinterface input or other input, can receive a directive or request toexecute a gallery function, in step 2208.

A gallery 3000 may be as shown in FIG. 30. A gallery 3000 is any type ofuser interface that allows a user to manage, view, select, delete, or doother functions with images captured or stored on the device 100. Agallery 3000 can contain one or more thumbnail images 3004 in a display.A thumbnail can be any representation of an image stored or captured bythe device 100 that is presented in a smaller form or size. An image canbe a picture or video. A thumbnail for a video may be created from asingle frame of the video.

The device 100 can receive a first input to execute a full screen viewof an image, in step 2212. For example, a user may view an image 2304selected in a gallery 3000 as shown in FIG. 23. This image 2304 may beshown with one or more different controls, icons, or user interfacedevices 2308. The user may select one of the user interface devices 2312to view the image as a full screen image. Upon receiving the input thedevice 100 may then show the image 2304 in a full screen as shown inFIG. 24. Here, the image 2304 spans the entire width or the entireheight of the available screen 110. One or more user icons may also beshown 2408 that allow the user to manage the image 2304 or exit the fullscreen view.

Thereinafter, a second input may be received by the device 100 thatchanges the state of the device 100 from a closed state to an openstate, in step 2216. For example, the device 100 may go from a view asshown in FIG. 24 to that shown in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 25, thedevice 100 is now in an open state where both screens 110, 114 areviewed. In response to the change from the closed state to the openstate, the device 100 may then display the image 2304 in at least aportion of the first screen 110 and at least a portion of the secondscreen 114, in step 2220. For example, image 2304 has expanded to coverboth the screen 110 and the screen 114. Thus, a change in state for thedevice 100, while viewing an image 2304 in full screen, allows the userto use both screens 110, 114 to better see a larger more detailed image.The change in the state the device 100 increases the size of the imageto expand into a view that covers at least a portion of the first screen110 and second screen 114 110, 114.

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the device 100 can be in a landscapeorientation when viewing the image 2304, and the second input opens thedevice 100 into a dual screen landscape orientation. It should be notedthat the device 100 may be in a portrait orientation when opened, andthe device 100 state can be changed to a dual screen portraitorientation. In some instances, a portion of the image that was notdisplayed while in the closed state may be displayed in the dual screenlandscape/portrait orientation. When in a dual screen landscapeorientation, the image 2304 may be centered across the first screen 110and second screen 114, such that the image 2304 is displayed in themiddle of the display area horizontally and/or vertically.

As explained earlier, the device 100 may be in a portrait orientationwhen in a closed state, and the second input that opens the device 100changes the device orientation to a dual screen portrait orientation.For example, FIG. 26 may provide a display that shows an image 2604stored in a gallery 3000. A user may select a user interface device 2608to view the image 2604 on a full screen. Upon selecting that input, theuser may be presented with the display 2704 shown in FIG. 27.

After viewing this image 2704 in the full screen, the user may then openthe device 100 and change the orientation of the device 100 from aclosed portrait orientation to a dual screen portrait orientation asshown in FIG. 28. Similar to the dual screen landscape orientation atleast a portion of the image 2704 may be displayed in the dual screenportrait orientation that was not shown when the device 100 was in theclosed state. For example, a bottom portion 2808 of the image shown inFIG. 28 is not shown in FIG. 27 in the portion 2708.

Upon receiving the first input to display the image 2704 in a fullscreen the gallery 3000 may provide one or more user selectable icons2712 and 2716 associated with the gallery function to allow the user tomanage the image 2704 displayed in the full screen. When the secondinput is received and in response to the second input, the display ofthe user selectable icons 2712 and 2716 may change position. Forexample, icons 2712 and 2716 are displayed at a bottom right hand cornerof a first display 110 in FIG. 27. Upon changing the device 100configuration to the open state, the user selectable icons 2712 and 2716are moved to a bottom right hand portion of a second screen 114 in thefull screen view of the image. This change may also be shown or seenwhen going from the landscape closed state to the dual screen landscapeorientation. In embodiments, the screen or display size may not cover anentire display area. For example, image 2704 may not expand into displayareas 2820 or 2824.

An embodiment of a method 2900 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 29. While a general order for the steps of the method 2900 is shownin FIG. 29. Generally, the method 2900 starts with a start operation2904 and ends with an end operation 2916. The method 2900 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 29. The method 2900 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method2900 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-28.

Method 2900 may also begin by providing a device 100 that has a firstscreen 110 and a second screen 114. The device 100 may be in a landscapedual screen orientation, as shown in FIG. 30. The device 100 may receivea first input to execute a gallery function, in step 2908. The input canbe a user interface input received from a user or some other directivefrom an application executing on the device 100. For example, an e-mailprogram that desires to download an image into an e-mail may send adirective to open a gallery 3000 that allows the user to select apicture from the gallery 3000 to put in an e-mail. In response to thefirst input, a gallery 3000 may be displayed over at least a portion ofthe first screen 110 and at least a portion of the second screen 114, instep 2912.

An example of the gallery 3000 is shown in FIG. 30. The gallery 3000 isdisplayed across or at least in a portion of first screen 110 and asecond screen 114. This allows the thumbnails 3004, to have a largerarea to be displayed. Further, the gallery 3000 may be able to displaymore thumbnails 3004 within the space provided by extending the gallery3000 over the first screen 110 and the second screen 114.

The gallery 3000 can include a first section 3012 and a second section3016. The first section 3012 of the gallery 3000 may display one or morealbums 3020 and 3024. An album is a collection of images associated witheach other and/or stored as a group. The albums may be selected tofilter the number of images shown in the second section 3016.

The first section 3012 of the gallery 3000 is navigable. In other words,the user may have more albums available than can be shown in the firstsection 3012. Thus, the user can scroll or move the display to viewother albums not shown presently on the display. For example, the usermay use a drag function by dragging their finger across the firstsection 3012 to move or scroll the first section 3012 of the gallery3000.

The second section 3016 can provide a grid that displays one or moreimage thumbnails 3004 that are associated with images in either an album3020, 3024 or in the gallery 3000. An image thumbnail 3004 is arepresentation of an image that may be smaller than the original image.For example, image thumbnails 3004 can be a smaller version of theactual image stored in the device 100. The thumbnail 3004 allows theuser to see a preview of the image and manage the image by knowing whatwas in the image file.

The second portion 3016 of the gallery 3000 may be viewed or displayedacross a portion of the first screen 110 and the second screen 114.Thus, the grid can use substantially all available display space belowor next to the first section 3012 Like the first section 3012, thesecond section 3016 may also be navigable. As more images may be storedin the device 100 than are able to be displayed within the availabledisplay space of the second section 3016, the grid may be moved orscrolled using user interface inputs similar to those explained inassociation with section 3012.

The gallery 3000 may also include an action bar 3028 that can includeone or more user selectable icons for executing one or more functionsassociated with the gallery 3000. For example, user selectable icon 3032may allow the user to share an image selected within the gallery 3000through another application, such as Twitter, e-mail, or other socialmedia application. As a further example, user selectable icon 3036 maybe selected to delete or erase an image selected within the gallery3000.

In selecting an album in the first section 3012, the display grid in thesecond section 3016 may change which images are displayed in the grid.Alternatively, the display may change how the images are displayed.Regardless, when selecting an album 3020, 3024, the device 100 maychange how the gallery functions or provides information to the user.For example, as shown in FIG. 31, the gallery 3000 has an album 3020selected. Upon selecting the album 3020, the first section 3012 may bedarkened. Further, the second section 3016 may be shown with one or moreimages 3104 having a checkmark. The checkmark may be an indication thatthat image(s) is associated with the album 3020 selected in the firstsection 3012. Alternatively, only the images that are associated withthe album are shown in the grid in the second section 3016. Thus, thedevice 100 may receive a selection of an album 3020 in the first section3012. In response to the selection of the album, the device 100 canchange the display of the grid to include one or more images associatedwith the album. Images not associated with the album may not bedisplayed in the grid.

An embodiment of a method 3200 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 32. While a general order for the steps of the method 3200 is shownin FIG. 32. Generally, the method 3200 starts with a start operation3204 and ends with an end operation 3224. The method 3200 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 32. The method 3200 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method3200 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-31.

Method 3200 also provides for a device 100 with a first screen 110 andsecond screen 114. The device 100 may be in a landscape dual screenorientation. The device 100 may receive a first input to execute agallery function, in step 3208. In response to the first input, thedevice 100 can display the gallery 3000 across at least a portion of thefirst screen 110 and at least a portion of the second screen 114, instep 3212.

Thereinafter, the device 100 can receive a selection of an album in thegallery 3000, in step 3216, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 29through 31. In response to the selection of the album, the device 100can display a new first section containing images of the album withinthe new gallery display 3300, in step 3220. For example, the gallery3300 may present a new view for images, as shown in FIG. 33. This newview contains a first section 3308 containing images that are associatedwith the selected album. For example, image 3312 and 3316 may beincluded as part of the album “Madagascar” 3332 represented or indicatedby banner 3320.

Upon selection of the album 3332, a first image 3336 or an imagecontained within the album may be shown in the second section 3324 ofthe display. For example, image 3336 is an image contained within thealbum Madagascar 3332 and is shown as selected by the visual indiciasurrounding thumbnail 3332. The first section 3308 may be displayed on afirst screen 110 while the second section 3324 is displayed on a portionof the first screen 110 and the second screen 114. The first section3308 may be navigable as described in conjunction with FIGS. 29 through31. As there may be more images within the album than can be displayedin the first section 3308, the first section 3308 may be scrollable ormovable to view other thumbnails within the album.

The second section 3324 of the album display may display only a singleimage. The image displayed in the second section 3324 may be associatedwith the thumbnail 3332 in the first section 3308. When the imagethumbnail 3332 in the first section 3308 is selected, the related image3336 may be displayed in the second section 3324. Further, highlightingor a highlighted box or other visual indicia may be included with thethumbnail 3332 as shown in the first section 3308. For example,thumbnail 3328 includes a box surrounding the image indicating it hasbeen selected for display in second section 3324.

The method 3200 can continue with the reception of a second selection ofa second thumbnail in the first section 3308 of the albums displayed inthe view 3324. The device 100 may receive the selection of thethumbnail, in step 3224. In response to the received selection of athumbnail in section 3308, the device 100 may display a second imageassociated with the second thumbnail in the second section 3224, in step3228.

The image selected in the album may be a video. A second input may bereceived that selects the video from section 3308. The selection maythen display an initial screen for the video in section 3324. Further,in response to the second input or selection, one or more video controlsmay be displayed in the second section 3324. For example, video controlsmay be as described in conjunction with FIG. 38.

Another example of the album display 3300 is shown in FIG. 34. In thisexample, the second section 3324 may be kept on a second screen 114 andthe first section 3308 may be kept on a first screen 110. Thus, theimage 3326 may not be displayed across the seam 3404 of the device 100.This way the seam 3404 will not dissect the displayed image 3336 andmake the image harder to view.

An embodiment of a method 3500 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 35. While a general order for the steps of the method 3500 is shownin FIG. 35. Generally, the method 3500 starts with a start operation3504 and ends with an end operation 3524. The method 3500 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 35. The method 3500 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method3500 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-34.

In method 3500, a device 100 is provided that has at least the firstscreen 110 and second screen 114, as described in conjunction with FIG.1B through FIG. 10. The device 100 may receive a first input to thedevice 100 to execute a first application, in step 3508. The firstapplication may be any application executed by the device 100. Theapplication may receive a second input, in step 3512. In response to thesecond input, the first application may request that a picker service3600 be executed, in step 3516. The picker service 3600 is a specialfeature of the gallery function that allows a user to select images orvideos from the gallery 3000 to be input into the first application. Anexample of the picker service 3600 is shown in FIG. 36. The pickerservice 3600 can display a gallery 3000 of thumbnails 3604 in at least aportion of the first screen 110 and at least a portion of the secondscreen 114, in step 3520.

As shown in FIG. 36, the picker service 3600 is indicated by the banner3616 which contains the word pick. The gallery in the picker service3600 can have a first section 3608 and a second section 3612. In thesecond section 3612, the picker service 3600 gallery can display one ormore thumbnails, for example thumbnail 3620 displayed in this section3612. The section 3612 may be displayed as a grid of one or morethumbnails associated with one or more images stored and provided in thegallery 3000. The first section 3608 can display one or more thumbnailsassociated with one or more albums. As explained herein before, an albummay be a logical structure that stores one or more images that areassociated together.

In the picker service 3600, the first section 3608 is displayed on afirst screen 110 and is navigable. As explained herein before, the firstsection 3608 may contain one or more album indications 3624, 3628,however, may not be able to display representations of every albumwithin the gallery 3000. As such, the user may be able to navigate orscroll using different user interface inputs to select other albums notshown in a current view. The second section 3612 of the picker service3600 may be displayed over at least a portion of the first screen 110and at least a portion of the second screen 114. This second section3612 may also be navigable as all images associated with either an albumor the gallery 3000 are not displayable within the limits of thedisplay.

In the picker service 3600, the device 100 may receive a selection of analbum 3624 in the first section 3608. In response to receiving thisselection of an album, one or more thumbnails 3620 associated with thealbum 3624may be displayed in the second section 3612. Further, if asecond selection of a second thumbnail 3628 in section 3608,representing a second album, is received, the device 100 in response tothe second selection, may display at least a second image associatedwith this second album 3628. The second section 3612 may display a gridof images associated with the second album 3628. However, as describedin conjunction with FIGS. 32 through 34, the second section 3612 maydisplay a single image associated with the album.

The method 3500 may further allow for the selection of a thumbnailassociated with an image shown in section 3612. The selection of athumbnail 3620 is interpreted as the user picking that image associatedwith the thumbnail and the image is to be provided to the firstapplication. As such, in response to the selection of an image, thedevice 100 automatically provides the image to the first application.The first application may then edit, manage, send, or do other functionsto the image provided by the device 100.

An embodiment of a method 3700 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 37. While a general order for the steps of the method 3700 is shownin FIG. 37. Generally, the method 3700 starts with a start operation3704 and ends with an end operation 3724. The method 3700 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 37. The method 3700 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method3700 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-36.

In method 3700, a device 100 may be presented with at least a firstscreen 110 and the second screen 114, as described in conjunction withFIG. 1A through FIG. 10. A first input may be received by the device100, in step 3708. In response to the first input, the device 100 mayexecute a gallery function as described herein before. As the firstinput may be to execute a video or to play a video contained in thegallery 3000, the device 100 may execute a video player of the galleryfunction, in step 3716. The video player may then display a video acrossat least a portion of the first screen 110 and/or second screen 114, instep 3720. An example of the video player may be as shown in FIG. 38.

The first input may be received from an application already executing onthe device 100. For example, an application such as a web browser mayreceive a selection to play a video. The video player of the galleryfunction may then be executed in response to a directive or indicationsent from the application. After the video begins playing, the videogallery 3000 replaces the application display on the first screen 110and the second screen 114 with the display of the video. Thus, the videoplayer can be played across both the first screen 110 and the secondscreen 114, and the application, which was previously executing, is nolonger seen. For example, the video player 3804 is playing on top of anapplication displayed previously that is currently under the display ofthe video player 3804.

In some instances, a second input may be received by the device 100 thatopens another window over the top of the video player, such that thevideo player can no longer be seen. However, unlike other applicationswhich may be suspended, the video player may continue to play the video.Thus, the video player may continue to provide audio output that can beheard by the user but the video output cannot be seen, as the secondwindow is displayed over the top of the video player.

While a video is being played by the video player, the device 100 mayprevent the device from timing out. For example, after a period of timeof inactivity, a device 100 may time out and starts a power saving mode.In the power saving mode, the screens 110, 114 may be disabled anddisplay nothing and other functions may be stopped. However, whenplaying a video, the video may prevent timeouts where the video may bestopped without activity. For example, the device 100 may receive athird input to enter a standby mode. The standby mode may be a mode inwhich the device 100 does not display anything but is ready to receiveinput to begin executing again. However, with the video playing, thedevice 100 may continue to play the video even in standby mode. Thus,the device 100 can save power by entering a standby mode but tillcontinue to play the video.

The device 100 can be docked and receive a fourth input that indicatesthat the device 100 is docked with an external display. The device 100may then reroute audio and video from the device 100 to an externaldisplay in response to receiving input that the device 100 has docked.Further, the audio and video playback may be stopped on the device 100if video is played to the external monitor.

The selection or input to play a video may also be a selection of avideo within a gallery 3000. Thus, as explained previously inconjunction with FIGS. 22 through 36, the gallery 3000 can display animage representing a video stored in the gallery 3000. Upon selection ofthe thumbnail representing the video, the video player may be executedin the gallery function and play the video selected.

An embodiment of a method 3900 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 39. While a general order for the steps of the method 3900 is shownin FIG. 39. Generally, the method 3900 starts with a start operation3904 and ends with an end operation 3932. The method 3900 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 39. The method 3900 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method3900 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-38.

In method 3900, the device 100 may be provided with a first screen 110and a second screen 114. Input may be received, by the device 100, toexecute a gallery function, in step 3908. The input may cause the device100 to execute the gallery function, in step 3912. The input may be aselection in a gallery of a video to play or some other input to play avideo, as such, the device 100 can execute a video player of the galleryfunction, in step 3916.

The device 100 then displays the video with the video player across atleast a portion of the first screen 110 and/or at least a portion of thesecond screen 114, in step 3920. Thereinafter, while playing the videoor while displaying the video player, the device 100 may determine thata connection has been made to an HDMI output, in step 3924. HDMI may beany high definition multimedia interface connection. This connection maybe made from the device 100 to an external display either directly orthrough a port or docking station. Upon determining that a connectionhas been made to an HDMI output, the device 100 may provide a userselectable icon in the display to allow the user to send the video tothe HDMI output, in step 3928.

For example, in FIG. 40, the video player 4004 may be displaying a video4012. Upon receiving the HDMI connection and determining that theconnection has been made, the device 100 may change the display toinclude icon 4008. The user selectable icon 4008 may be chosen by theuser to send the video to the HDMI output. Thus, the device 100 mayreceive a selection of the user selectable icon 4008.

In response to receiving the selection of the user selective icon 4008,the device 100 may send the video to the HDMI output. Upon sending thevideo to the HDMI output, the video player may stop the video playbackon the device 100. However, the video player may remain active on thedevice 100 and control the display of the video on the external monitorthat is receiving the video through the HDMI output.

For example, as shown in FIG. 41, video player 4004 remains active onthe device 100 while the video 4112 is playing on an external monitor4108 through a connection 4116 from the HDMI output of the device 100.The video player 4004 includes a control bar 4104 that can control theplay of the video 4112 that is being displayed on the external monitor4108. Thus, the video player 4004 continues to control the playback ofthe video 4112 although it is being displayed on an external monitor4108. The display of the video player 4004, as shown in FIG. 41,provides a controller screen that allows the control of the video 4112without actually displaying the video. The controller screen and morespecifically the controller bar 4104 can still include the icon 4008.

The controller screen 4004 as shown on FIG. 41 can receive a secondselection of the user selectable icon 4008. In response to receiving theselection of the icon 4008, the video player 4004 can stop the playbackof the video 4112 over the HDMI output to the external monitor 4108. Thedevice 100 may then replay the video or begin playing the video again onthe display of the device 100.

The other controls in the control bar 4104 may execute other controls onthe video as it is displayed on the external monitor 4108. For example,the device 100 can receive a selection of a zoom button or otherbuttons, such as button 4120, in the control screen 4004. The selectionof the zoom button 4120 can change the display of the video 4112 on theexternal monitor 4108. Thus, beyond just playing and stopping the video4112, the video controller 4004 can also change how the video isdisplayed on the external monitor 4108.

The HDMI connection may be disconnected or lost for various reasons. Forexample, the user may simply disconnect the device 100 from the HDMIoutput to leave or stop displaying the video on the external monitor4108. The device 100 can determine that the HDM connection is lost. Upondetermining or in response to the HDM connection being lost, the videoplayer 4004 can stop the playback of the video over the HDMI output andreplay the video on the device 100. Thus, the user need not select icon4008 to begin playing the video on the device 100 but can simplydisconnect the device 100 from the external monitor 4108. This processprovides the user with more mobility and less input if they wish toleave.

An embodiment of a method 4200 for executing an application is shown inFIG. 42. While a general order for the steps of the method 4200 is shownin FIG. 42. Generally, the method 4200 starts with a start operation4204 and ends with an end operation 4232. The method 4200 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 42. The method 4200 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method4200 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-41.

In method 4200, a device 100 can also be provided that has at least afirst screen 110 and a second screen 114. The device 100 can receive afirst input to the device 100, in step 4208. The first input can be aninput to execute a gallery function. The galley function may be executedby the device 100, in step 4212. Further, the first input may also be adirective to display a video with the gallery function. Thus, the device100 can execute a video player 4004 of the gallery function, in step4216. The device 100 may then display the video with the video player4004, in step 4220.

Thereinafter, the device 100 can receive an input to move the display ofthe video between a first screen 110 and second screen 114, as shown inFIGS. 43 through 44, in step 4224. The input can be a drag of a fingerin the touch sensitive display 110, 114, as described hereinbefore, aflick in an gesture capture region 120, 124, or some other user input orgesture that attempts to manage the display screen shown on the device100 in FIG. 43. For example, the user may attempt to move the window4004 from screen 110 to screen 114. As the display 4004 is moved off ofscreen 110 and onto screen 114, the window 4404 or desktop underneath adisplay 4004 may be displayed, as shown in FIG. 44. Thus, desktop orwindow 4404 may become uncovered as the display 4304 is moved. Further,this window, on the second screen 114, for example, window 4308, maybecome obscured while the window 4004 is moving onto the second screen114.

The display of a video on a device 100 is display and processorintensive. Thus, trying to move a display of a video while the video isbeing played becomes more intensive and may be too problematic for thetwo screen device 100. Thus, in order to show that the movement of thedisplay is happening, the device 100 may display an icon or other visualindicia 4408 on the second screen 114 as the display is being moved. Thedevice 100 displays the icon 4408 on the second screen 114 to intimatethat the movement of the display 4304 is occurring, in step 4228.

The icon 4408 can be any kind of visual indicia, however, may appear tocomplete the display box or configuration on the second screen 114.During the movement, the device 100 may continue to display the video inthe video window 4004 on the first screen 110. However, only the icon4408 may be displayed on the second screen 114. The icon 4408 may notdisplay video but rather provides some other static visual indicia thatintimate movement of the display 4004. Further, the icon 4408 moves inconjunction with the second input movement. Thus, as the user dragstheir finger the icon 4408 moves in conjunction with the movement of theinput. To the user, it appears that the icon 4408 is controlled by theinput of the user.

During the movement and the display of the video, the display screen4004 appears to move off the first screen 110. Upon the video beingmoved completely to the second screen 114 or because the user madeenough of an indication of the movement, the display window 4004 may beexpanded onto the second window 114 where the display of the video iscontained completely on the second screen 114. In other words, the userneed not make a complete movement gesture but enough for the device 100to understand the movement should be completed.

The use of the video icon may not occur in some situations whileexpanding the video. For example, the device 100 can determine that themovement is an expansion of the display 4004 to cover both the firstscreen 110 the second screen 114 in a full screen mode. Upon determiningthat the movement is an expansion, the device 100 can expand the display4004 across both screens 110 and 114, as shown in FIG. 45. During theexpansion of the video, the video may remain or continue to be displayedduring the expansion. Thus, as this display screen 4004 expands into thesecond screen 114, the video may be played on the first screen 110 and aportion of the second screen 114 until the video is fully expanded, asshown in FIG. 45. No icon is shown during the expansion of the videorather the video remains in single window, which displays the video.

Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations illustrated herein show the various components of thesystem collocated, certain components of the system can be locatedremotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LANand/or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should beappreciated, that the components of the system can be combined in to oneor more devices, such as a tablet-like device, or collocated on aparticular node of a distributed network, such as an analog and/ordigital telecommunications network, a packet-switch network, or acircuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from the precedingdescription, and for reasons of computational efficiency, that thecomponents of the system can be arranged at any location within adistributed network of components without affecting the operation of thesystem. For example, the various components can be located in a switchsuch as a PBX and media server, gateway, in one or more communicationsdevices, at one or more users' premises, or some combination thereof.Similarly, one or more functional portions of the system could bedistributed between a telecommunications device(s) and an associatedcomputing device.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connectingthe elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof,or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable ofsupplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements.These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may becapable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media usedas links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electricalsignals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and maytake the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated inrelation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciatedthat changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occurwithout materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments,configuration, and aspects.

In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, aprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integratedcircuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digitalsignal processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such asdiscrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array suchas PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means,or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementingthe methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for thedisclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes computers,handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital,analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Someof these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially orfully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whethersoftware or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance withthis disclosure is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirementsof the system, the particular function, and the particular software orhardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems beingutilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executedon programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of acontroller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, orthe like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurementsystem, system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments,subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absenceof items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence ofsuch items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosureto the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing DetailedDescription for example, various features of the disclosure are groupedtogether in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined inalternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than thosediscussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claims require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a singleforegoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodimentof the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or moreaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations andmodifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted,including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not suchalternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: providing a portablecommunication device having a first and a second touch screen that arephysically connected by a hinge, wherein the portable communicationdevice is initially in a landscape dual screen orientation with thefirst touch screen above the second touch screen; receiving a firstinput to the portable communication device, wherein the first inputexecutes a gallery function; in response to the first input, displayinga gallery across at least a portion of the first touch screen and atleast a portion of the second touch screen, wherein one or more albumsare displayed in a first section of the gallery, and wherein the one ormore albums are navigable; displaying a grid of one or more imagethumbnails in a second section of the gallery, wherein the one or moreimage thumbnails are navigable, wherein the grid of the one or moreimage thumbnails and the one or more albums are independently navigable,wherein the first section of the gallery is displayed on the first touchscreen display, and wherein the second section is displayed in at leasta portion of the first touch screen and at least a portion of the secondtouch screen; and adapting the gallery function to a different deviceconfiguration based on a change in a device state of the portablecommunication device, wherein the change in the device state includes atleast one of a docked state, an easel state, and a modified easel state.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gallery includes an action barcomprising one or more user selectable icons for executing one or morefunctions in the gallery.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprisingreceiving a selection of an album in the first section.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising, in response to the selection of the album,changing the display of the grid to include one or more imagesassociated with the album.
 5. A portable communication device,comprising: a first screen, the first screen including a first gesturecapture region; a second screen, wherein the first screen and the secondscreen are physically connected by a hinge, wherein the portablecommunication device is initially in a landscape dual screen orientationwith the first screen above the second screen, wherein the second screenfaces an opposite direction from the first screen when the portablecommunication device is closed, and wherein an image capture lens isassociated with the second screen; a memory; a processor incommunication with the memory, the first screen, and the second screen,the processor operable to: receive a first input to the portablecommunication device, wherein the first input executes a galleryfunction; in response to the first input, display a gallery across atleast a portion of the first screen and at least a portion of the secondscreen, wherein one or more albums are displayed in a fist section ofthe gallery, wherein the one or more albums are navigable; display agrid of one or more image thumbnails in a second section of the gallery,wherein the one or more image thumbnails are navigable, and wherein thegrid of the one or more image thumbnails and the one or more albums areindependently navigable, wherein the first section of the gallery isdisplayed on the first touch screen display, and wherein the secondsection is displayed in at least a portion of the first touch screen andat least a portion of the second touch screen; and adapt the galleryfunction to a different device configuration based on a change in adevice state of the portable communication device, wherein the change inthe device state includes at least one of a docked state, an easelstate, and a modified easel state.
 6. The portable communication deviceof claim 5, wherein the gallery includes an action bar comprising one ormore user selectable icons for executing one or more functions in thegallery.
 7. The portable communication device of claim 6, furthercomprising: receiving a selection of an album in the first section; andin response to the selection of the album, changing the display of thegrid to include one or more images associated with the album.
 8. Anon-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereoncomputer-executable instructions, the computer executable instructionscausing a processor of a portable communication device to execute amethod for providing a user interface, the computer-executableinstructions comprising: instructions to receive a first input to theportable communication device, wherein the first input executes agallery function; in response to the first input, display the galleryacross at least a portion of a first screen and at least a portion of asecond screen, wherein the first and second screens are physicallyconnected by a hinge, wherein the portable communication device isinitially in a landscape dual screen orientation with the first screenabove the second screen, wherein one or more albums are displayed in afirst section of the gallery, wherein the one or more albums arenavigable; display a grid of one or more image thumbnails in a secondsection of the gallery, wherein the one or more image thumbnails arenavigable, and wherein the grid of the one or more image thumbnails andthe one or more albums are independently navigable, wherein the firstsection of the gallery is displayed on the first touch screen display,and wherein the second section is displayed in at least a portion of thefirst touch screen and at least a portion of the second touch screen;and adapt the gallery function to a different device configuration basedon a change in a device state of the portable communication device,wherein the change in the device state includes at least one of adocketed state, an easel state and a modified easel state.
 9. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the galleryincludes an action bar comprising one or more user selectable icons forexecuting one or more functions in the gallery.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 8, the processor further operable to:receiving a selection of an album in the first section; and in responseto the selection of the album, changing the display of the grid toinclude one or more images associated with the album.